Epidemiological, clinical and hematobiochemical studies on hemotoxic snakebite in bovines

Abstract

Snakebite is a conflict between venomous snakes and humans as well as livestock and considered as neglected tropical disease. The present study aimed to investigate the hospital prevalence, clinical and hemato-biochemical aspects of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines. The overall hospital prevalence of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines was found to be 0.93%. Highest prevalence of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines was observed in August month during monsoon season in female bovines with higher cases in buffaloes. The highest occurrence was reported in native Marathwadi buffalo, non-descript and Deoni cattle of > 4 years and 1-4 years age group in forelimbs and hindlimbs during morning and evening hours. Ascending swelling over limbs extending upward and lameness in case of bite on limbs while asymmetrical swelling in case of bite over face, occasional signs of bleeding like melena, hematuria, epistaxis and bleeding from the site of bite were the prominent clinical signs observed in hemotoxic snakebite affected bovines. Highly significant increase in heart rate and respiration rate, while decrease in rumen motility was observed in snakebite affected bovines. Hemato-biochemial analysis showed highly significant increase in leukocyte count, erythrocyte count and PCV, significant increase in granulocyte and monocyte count, highly significant decrease in platelet count while increase in capillary blood clotting time, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase levels compared to healthy bovines.