Red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) envenomation in the dog: Diagnosis and treatment of nine cases

Padula, A.M.; Winkel, Kenneth D.

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.03.022

Cited by 19 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Haemolysis was present in a small number of horses included in this study. Haemolytic cytotoxicity is due to cytotoxic actions of certain phospholipase A 2 toxins and is a noted feature of black snake envenomation, but occurs to a lesser extent with tiger snake envenomation . Comparisons between species are obviously difficult , and further studies are required to elucidate whether coagulopathy and haemolysis are clinically important features of disease in horses, especially in cases that die acutely following envenomation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elapid snake envenomation in horses: 52 cases (2006–2016)

Bamford

Sprinkle

Cudmore³

et al. 2017

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Elapid snake envenomation is primarily a syndrome of neuromuscular weakness. Supportive anamnesis or an obvious bite site is rarely encountered. In endemic areas, this diagnosis should be considered for horses with generalised neuromuscular weakness, altered mentation, rhabdomyolysis and/or haemolysis; especially during spring and summer months. Diagnostic suspicion is best confirmed by response to treatment with antivenom.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elapid snake envenomation in horses: 52 cases (2006–2016)

Bamford

Sprinkle

Cudmore³

et al. 2017

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…1 The clinical RBBS envenomation syndrome in canines is typically manifested, as varying degrees of haemolysis, mild anticoagulant coagulopathy, pigmenturia, myopathy and local tissue swelling. [2][3][4] Similarly, human envenomation is generally mild, with supportive care and antivenom treatment administered only in severe cases. 5 However, recent veterinary case reports have described severe lifethreatening complications from RBBS envenomation including, acute neurotoxicity, marked haemolysis and death.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…5 However, recent veterinary case reports have described severe lifethreatening complications from RBBS envenomation including, acute neurotoxicity, marked haemolysis and death. 2,[6][7][8] There remains a paucity of information on the RBBS envenomation syndrome in dogs, which appears more severe than described in humans. Consequently, more veterinary specific knowledge is required on this snakebite in dogs, the range of clinical signs, and venom effects to better guide veterinarians in the administration of appropriate and cost-effective treatment.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…7 The presence of spherocytes in dogs, following RBBS envenomation, has also been sporadically described in veterinary case reports. 2,6,7 A combined tiger and brown snake antivenom product are generally administered to RBBS envenomed veterinary cases that are presented to veterinarians for treatment because of its utility. This is based on the knowledge that the tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) antivenom can effectively neutralise the lethal toxins present in RBBS venom.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…14 The product is a whole equine IgG caprylic acid fractionated bivalent antivenom and has demonstrated efficacy in previously published reports. 2,7,8 The aim of this study was to describe the range of clinical features associated with RBBS envenomation in dogs in south-eastern Queensland and their response to treatment with a new tiger-brown snake antivenom.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Red‐bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) envenomation in 17 dogs: clinical signs, coagulation changes, haematological abnormalities, venom antigen levels and outcomes following treatment with a tiger‐brown snake antivenom

Finney¹,

Padula

Leister³

2020

Aust Veterinary J

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Background This report describes 17 cases of red‐bellied black snake envenomation (RBBS; Pseudechis porphyriacus) in dogs in south‐eastern Queensland. Patients were prospectively enrolled for the treatment with a new tiger‐brown snake antivenom 8000 units, (TBAV; Padula Serums Pty Ltd, VIC, Australia). Case Report Clinical diagnosis of RBBS envenomation was made by either snake venom detection kit, snake identification using scale counting, or owner observed dog‐snake interaction in patients with clinical signs of envenomation. An RBBS venom antigen sandwich ELISA was used to retrospectively quantify venom levels in frozen serum and urine. Mechanical ventilation was required in 11% (2/17) patients, whole blood transfusion in 12% (2/17), tissue swelling at the bite site occurred in 53% (9/17) and facial palsy in 12% (2/17). One dog was euthanised, and overall, 94% (16/17) survived to hospital discharge. Clinicopathological changes pre‐TBAV included variable haemolysis, increased CK, pigmenturia and mildly prolonged active clotting time with a median of 134 s (n = 13, range 91–206 s). Haematological profiles post envenomation revealed anaemia (6/6) and spherocytosis (5/5), which resolved without the use of corticosteroids. Pre‐TBAV, median RBBS venom antigen concentration was 22.6 ng/mL (n = 15, range 2–128) in serum and 58 ng/mL (range 1–452) in urine; RBBS venom antigen was undetectable in serum post‐TBAV in all patients. Conclusion Some RBBS envenomed dogs required, critical care including mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, additional antivenom and prolonged hospitalisation. TBAV was effective with excellent prognosis despite stated specificity for tiger and brown snake.

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