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Abstract

Two dog viz. Labrador and Alsatian cross were presented to the peripheral hospital with a history of frothy salivation, dull, depressed, abnormal gait and with recumbent position. They were diagnosed for snake bite based on the history and physical examination. The hematological parameters showed reduced values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and increased total leukocyte count. The biochemical values showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine. The successful treatment was done with anti-snake venom, fluid, corticosteroid, muscuranic receptor antagonist and antibiotic with careful monitoring. [Vet. World 2009; 2(2.000): 66-67]
www.veterinaryworld.org Veterinary World Vol.2, No.2, February 2009
Introduction
Snake bite in animals generally occurs during
grazing or hunting or while playing in the garden. Most
of the cases of snake bite have been reported in dogs
and horses (Garg, 2000). Poisoning from snake venom
in animals is an emergency which requires immediate
attention or otherwise delayed and inadequate
treatment may lead to untoward consequences. The
present paper describes snake bite in canines and its
therapeutic management.
Case history and observation
Male Labrador retreiver aged about two and half
years and female Alsatian cross aged about two years
with the history of frothy salivation, dull, depressed,
abnormal gait and with recumbent position were
brought to private clinic for treatment. According to the
owner, the dogs were usually placed in the garden and
had a history of snake problem.
On physical examination of the dogs revealed
cyanotic swollen areas with fang marks on tip of nose
in case of Labrador and on the left fore paw of Alsatian
cross respectively were observed.
Diagnosis
Based on the history and physical examination
of the dogs, the cases were suspected for snakebite.
The clinical parameters like rectal temperature, pulse
and respiratory rate of Labrador and Alsatian cross
showed 36
o
C, 44 per min and 18 per min and 36.2
o
C,
40 per min and 20 per min respectively. Further
1. Corresponding author, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, 2. Ph.D. Scholar,
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & toxicology, 3. Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical
Medicine, 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology.
Veterinary World, Vol.2(2): 66-67 CLINICAL
Snake bite in dogs and its successful treatment
K. J. Ananda
1
, K. Mohan
2
, Ansar Kamran
3
and R. Sharada
4
Department of Veterinary Clinical Service Complex,
Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore-560024
Abstract
Two dog viz. Labrador and Alsatian cross were presented to the peripheral hospital with a history
of frothy salivation, dull, depressed, abnormal gait and with recumbent position. They were
diagnosed for snake bite based on the history and physical examination. The hematological
parameters showed reduced values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and increased total
leukocyte count. The biochemical values showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and
creatinine. The successful treatment was done with anti-snake venom, fluid, corticosteroid,
muscuranic receptor antagonist and antibiotic with careful monitoring.
Key words: Labrador, Alsatian cross, snake bite, treatment
examination of both the cases revealed presence of
cold extremities and reduced reflexes.
The blood samples from both the dogs were collected
with and without ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid
(EDTA) for hematological parameters like haemoglobin,
packed cell volume and total leukocyte count estimation
and biochemical parameters such as alanine
aminotransferase and creatinin estimation.
The hematological parameters revealed
decreased hemoglobin concentration (12.6 g/dl, 13.2
g/dl) and packed cell volume (35%, 40%) and increased
total leukocyte count (18000/ml, 22000/ml) in Labrador
and Alsatian cross respectively. The biochemical values
showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase
(80 IU/dl, 90 IU/dl) and creatinine (2.2 mg/dl, 1.96 mg/
dl) in Labrador and Alsatian cross respectively.
Treatment
Both the dogs were treated with lyophilized
polyvalent anti-snake venom (Serum institute of India).
The clear supernatant obtained after dilution was slowly
administered intravenously in a shot of 1ml at an interval
of 3-4 minutes up to 10 ml. In addition, 500 ml of 5%
DNS (Dextrose Normal Saline) each was administered
intravenously to both the dogs. Dexamethasone
(Dexona, Cadila pharma) at the dose of 2mg/kg was
administered i/v and Atropine sulphate (Tropine, Neon
Labs) at the rate of 0.04mg/kg i/m. Further Enrofloxacin
(Enrocin, Ranbaxy) at the dose of 5 mg/kg, i/m and
tetanus toxoid (Serum institute of India) 2ml i/m were
given. Then the animals were kept under observation.
066
www.veterinaryworld.org Veterinary World Vol.2, No.2, February 2009
After 1 hr it was observed that Labrador was passing
blood in the urine, however, no such clinical sign was
noticed in the other dog. Botropase (Juggart) 1ml i/v
was administered to Labrador dog. After 5 hrs the dogs
were active, normal and there was no relapse of the
signs was observed. The antibiotic therapy was
continued for 5 days to both the dogs. After one week
of treatment, it was confirmed that the dogs were
recovered uneventfully.
Discussion
Snake venoms are complex mixture of proteins
and peptides, consisting of both enzymatic and non
enzymatic compounds. Snake venoms also contain
inorganic cat ions such as sodium, calcium, potassium,
magnesium, and small amounts of zinc, iron, cobalt,
manganese, and nickel. The other components of
snake venoms are glycoproteins, lipids, and biogenic
amines, such as histamine, serotonin and
neurotransmitters (catecholamines and acetylcholine)
(Klaassen, 2008). Clinical signs such as frothy
salivation, dullness muscular weakness with abnormal
gait observed in the present study can be attributed to
the enzymatic and non enzymatic compounds in the
snake venom. According to Klaassen (2008),
hyalurinadase cleaves internal glycoside bonds in
certain acid mucopolysaccharides resulting decreased
viscosity of connective tissues allowing other fractions
of venom to penetrate the tissues. The cyanotic edema
observed at the site of bite may be attributed to enzyme
hyaluronidase which acts as a spreading factor.
Passing of blood in the urine observed in
Labrador dog can be hypothesized to the haematotoxic
effect of snake venom which may interfere with many
components of the haemostatic system (Wolff, 2006).
Moreover, the toxins such as the haemorrhagins cause
spontaneous bleeding in the gingival sulci, nose, skin
and gastrointestinal tract (Warrell and Fenner, 1993).
However, such bleeding tendencies were not noticed
in either of the two cases except hematuria in Labrador
dog.
The alterations in the hematological parameters
might be due to damage to the blood cells by snake
venom. The increased biochemical values like alanine
aminotransferase and creatinine may be due to the
hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effect of snake venom
(O’Shea, 2005).
Sometimes lyophilized polyvalent anti-snake
venom may cause anaphylactic reactions (Sai et al,
2008) to overcome the untoward effect to antivenom,
dexamethasone injection was given to the dogs.
However, in the present study corticosteroid was
preferred over antihistamines as in certain times it
potentiates the toxic action of the snake venom (Singh
1980). Prophylactically, Tetanus toxoid and broad
spectrum antibiotic were administered to the dogs, as
the fangs of the snake are supposed to be
contaminated with various types of bacteria.
References
1. Garg, S. K. (2002): In Zootoxins. Veterinary Toxiciology,
CBS publishers and Distributers 1
st
Edn New Delhi.
2. Wolff, F. A. D. (2006): Natural Toxins. In:
Clarke’s
Analysis of Drugs and Poison
. Pharmaceutical press,
London, Electronic Version.
3. Klaassen, C.D. (2008): Properties and Toxicities of
animal Venoms. In:
Toxicology . 7
th
Edn, McGraw-Hill,
New Delhi. Pp 1093-1098.
4. O’Shea, M. (2005):
Venomous Snakes of the World.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
5. Sai Butcha Rao, M., Satish Kumar and Thirumala Rao,
D.S. (2008):
Intas Polivet., 9(1), 116.
6. Singh, B. (1980):
Livestock Advisor, 5, 55-60.
7. Warrell D. A. and Fenner, P. J. (1993):
Br. Med. Bull, 49,
423–439.
********
Snake bite in dogs and its successful treatment
067
... The animals exhibit various symptoms like cardio pulmonary dysfunction, local tissue damage, blood coagulation defects, atexia etc, depending on type of snake bite [2] . Ananda et al., [3] opined that systemic signs can vary and may include hypotension, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, bleeding disorders, ptyalism, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, mental confusion, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. Kahn [4] reported that the snakebite with envenomation is a true emergency and it needs rapid examination and appropriate treatments are paramount. ...
... In the present case study, poisoned dog showed clinical signs such as dullness, depression, staggering gait, oozing of blood from bitten area and edematous face. This was in agreement with Ananda et al. [3] who reported salivation, dullness, muscular weakness with abnormal gait. This clinical signs can be attributed to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds in the snake venom. ...
... According to Klaassen [6] , the edema observed at the site of bite may be attributed to enzyme hyaluronidase which acts as a spreading factor. The alterations in the hematological parameters might be due to damage to the blood cells by snake venom [3] . The hematological parameters revealed decreased hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume and increased platelet and total leukocyte count ( Table 1). ...
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The present case study deals with a viper bite in dog and its successful treatment. A Male Great Dane dog aged about two years was presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Orathanadu on August 2016 with a history of snake bite. Clinical examination revealed edema of face and fang mark on the left lower lip. Based on history and clinical examination the case was tentatively diagnosed as Viper bite. Detailed clinical examination was conducted and samples were collected. Hematology revealed leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and thrombocytosis. Snake bite in animals generally occurs during grazing/hunting or while playing in the garden. Based on the clinical symptoms, clinical findings and history of the owner the case was diagnosed as snake bite and therapeutic management was carried out immediately. The successful treatment was done with anti-snake venom, fluid, corticosteroid, and antibiotic with careful monitoring.
... The animals exhibit various symptoms like cardio pulmonary dysfunction, local tissue damage, blood coagulation defects, atexia etc, depending on type of snake bite [2] . Ananda et al., [3] opined that systemic signs can vary and may include hypotension, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, bleeding disorders, ptyalism, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, mental confusion, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. Kahn [4] reported that the snakebite with envenomation is a true emergency and it needs rapid examination and appropriate treatments are paramount. ...
... In the present case study, poisoned dog showed clinical signs such as dullness, depression, staggering gait, oozing of blood from bitten area and edematous face. This was in agreement with Ananda et al. [3] who reported salivation, dullness, muscular weakness with abnormal gait. This clinical signs can be attributed to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds in the snake venom. ...
... According to Klaassen [6] , the edema observed at the site of bite may be attributed to enzyme hyaluronidase which acts as a spreading factor. The alterations in the hematological parameters might be due to damage to the blood cells by snake venom [3] . The hematological parameters revealed decreased hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume and increased platelet and total leukocyte count ( Table 1). ...
... Intracompartmental syndromes and even thrombosis of major vessels is more likely to happen in contaminated bite hence to prevent cellulitis prophylactic broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment is given and the fang mark area of the skin was thoroughly washed with 5% potassium permanganate solution (Saravanan M et al., 2017) [6] . However, it provides protection against the tetanus spore that might have entered animal body from contaminated snake mouth (Ananda et al., 2009) [1] . The respiratory rate was 12/min. ...
... Intracompartmental syndromes and even thrombosis of major vessels is more likely to happen in contaminated bite hence to prevent cellulitis prophylactic broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment is given and the fang mark area of the skin was thoroughly washed with 5% potassium permanganate solution (Saravanan M et al., 2017) [6] . However, it provides protection against the tetanus spore that might have entered animal body from contaminated snake mouth (Ananda et al., 2009) [1] . The respiratory rate was 12/min. ...
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Snake envenomation are frequently presented to veterinary practitioners in all around the world. In dogs, most of the snake bites are noticed in the head and neck and also in limbs by playing and attacking nature of the dogs. A 12 years old female Doberman was presented to the Small Animal Emergency Unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex, VCRI, Orathanadu with a history of snake bite. Animal on lateral recumbency, edema in face, frothy salivation and fang mark near muzzle. It was diagnosed as Cobra envenomation based on the snake identification. The hematological parameters showed anemia and neutrophilia. Elevated Creatinine level in serum biochemistry. Dog was treated by polyvalent anti-snake venom and oxygen supplementation and supportive with tetanus toxoid, antibiotic. Dog shoed uneventful recovery.
... The animals exhibit various symptoms like cardio-pulmonary dysfunction, local tissue damage, blood coagulation defects, ataxia etc. depending on type of snake bite [2] . Systemic signs can vary and may include hypotension, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, bleeding disorders, ptyalism, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, mental confusion, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure [4] . Cobra envenomation in animals is an emergency which requires immediate attention or otherwise delayed and inadequate treatment may prove fatal. ...
... Envenomation by cobra was manifested clinically as neurotoxicity and if not attended immediately, could lead to respiratory failure and death by preventing binding of acetylcholine to nicotinic receptors in post-synaptic membrane of skeletal muscles [5] . Clinical signs such as salivation, dyspnea, abnormal gait, recumbency observed in the present case have also been observed by Ananda [4] , Patel [6] , Saravanan et al. [7] and Abinaya [8] . These clinical signs can be attributed to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds in the snake venom. ...
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A six months old male Labrador pup was brought to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar with the history of snake bite, salivation, vomiting, dullness, dyspnea, abnormal gait, recumbency and edematous face. Pet owner brought the dead snake and identified it as Cobra. Fang marks noticed on the tip of nose and blood oozing from these marks. Hematology and biochemical investigation revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis with increased ALT level. Based on history and observation, the present case was confirmed as Cobra envenomation in a Labrador puppy. The pup was treated with polyvalent anti-snake venom along with tetanus toxoid, atropine sulphate, corticosteroids, antibiotics and fluid therapy. Area around the fang marks was dressed with povidine iodine. The pup had uneventful recovery from venom envenomation.
... Adequate reports are available with respect to snakebite in cattle even from the study area (Bhikane et al. 2020;Jadhav et al. 2021). Numerous reports and few case series are available on snakebite in dogs and bovines in India but there is scarcity of reports on equine snakebite (Bhikane et al. 2020;Senthil Kumar et al. 2018;Ananda et al. 2009). ...
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... Snake bite with envenomation should be treated as an emergency. Rapid examination and initiation of proper treatment is essential (Vijay, et al., 2001) as delayed and inadequate treatment may lead to untoward consequences (Ananda et al., 2009). Based on the system affected, snake venoms may be classified as hemotoxic and neurotoxic depending on (Gregory and John, 2002). ...
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Properties and Toxicities of animal Venoms
  • C D Klaassen
Klaassen, C.D. (2008): Properties and Toxicities of animal Venoms. In:Toxicology. 7 th Edn, McGraw-Hill, New Delhi. Pp 1093-1098.