Fatal Vipera xanthina palestinae envenomation in 16 dogs.
Sixteen fatal dog envenomations by the snake Vipera palaestinae over a 14-y period are described. Most envenomations occurred during the late night hours in the warm months, and 8/16 dogs were bitten on the limbs. The most frequent clinical signs upon admission were soft tissue swelling and edema, local pain, depression, bleeding, lameness, dyspnea, and 6 dogs were in shock. Thrombocytopenia was present in 14/16 cases and increased hematocrit (13/16) and hemoglobin (9/16) concentration were the most common hematological abnormalities upon admission. Biochemical abnormalities included increased activities of muscle enzymes and alkaline phosphatase, hypocalcemia, and hypocholesterolemia. Creatine kinase activity was markedly increased in 2 dogs. During hospitalization serious complications in many dogs were disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, acute necrotizing pancreatitis and severe laryngeal edema; these required intensive and expensive therapies. Specific antivenin (10 ml) administered to 8/16 dogs did not prevent death. Glucocorticosteroids were given in 8 cases; however, their use was associated with complications. Four dogs suffered sudden death, 2 of which died 1-2 d after discharge. Necropsy performed on 3/16 dogs found soft tissue swelling and local bleeding at the envenomation sites as well as bleeding in several distal body organs and tissues.
School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, 76100 Rehovot, Israel.
I
I
Aroch
G
G
Segev
E
E
Klement
A
A
Shipov
S
S
Harrus
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000662:veterinary*; D017819:Viperidae
D005938:Glucocorticoids