Retrospective evaluation of neurotoxic rattlesnake envenomation in dogs and cats: 34 cases (2005–2010)

Abstract

Although the incidence of neurotoxicity secondary to rattlesnake envenomation may be relatively low, patients can have rapid progression of their clinical signs and a higher mortality rate, necessitating timely and appropriate treatment. Patients treated for neurotoxicity secondary to envenomation appear to have a fair to good prognosis.

Prospective evaluation of the incidence of wound infection in rattlesnake envenomation in dogs

“…Although not the focus of our study, we also recorded the location of the bite, length of hospital stay, incidence of VIC, and mortality rate. Our finding that the vast majority of our patients (80%) were struck above the neck is consistent with other studies involving Eastern Diamondbacks in Florida, Prairie Rattlesnakes in Colorado, and a study of neurotoxic venomous snakes in Southern California . The median length of hospital stay in our study was 24 hours.…”

“…The mortality rate in our study was low at 2% (3/143), which is also consistent with retrospective studies involving Prairie Rattlesnakes and Eastern Diamondback envenomations, although the Florida study reported a mortality rate of 30% for Eastern Diamondback envenomation . The mortality rate for neurotoxic envenomations was reported to be 17.6% . Two of the 3 patients in our study that died had bites to the tongue.…”

“…Phospholipase A 2 is common in all pit viper venoms and is responsible for the release of histamine, kinins, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Phospholipase A 2 also damages cell membranes causing leakage and edema, and is responsible for the changes in the red blood cell wall that result in echinocyte formation . Myotoxin A causes muscle necrosis by increasing intracellular calcium concentrations .…”

“…This is consistent with what has been reported for the Prairie Rattlesnake and Eastern Diamondback, although 1 study from the University of Florida reported a mean hospital stay of 3.6 days for Eastern Diamondback envenomations . The median length of hospital stay recorded in a recent retrospective study of neurologic envenomations was 2 days …”

“…In a retrospective study evaluating envenomations which resulted in neurotoxicity in dogs and cats, Julius et al found no statistically significant difference in survival with the use of antimicrobials. This study was conducted in Southern California where the most common species of snake causing neurotoxicity is the Mojave ( C. scutulatus scutulatus ) . Based on previous human studies, we hypothesize that there is low risk for wound infection in dogs secondary to rattlesnake envenomation.…”