Haemostatic abnormalities and clinical findings in Vipera palaestinae-envenomed dogs.
The venomous viper Vipera palaestinae (Vp) is responsible for most envenomations in humans and animals in Israel. Its venom contains proteases, haemorrhagins, L-amino acid oxidase and phospholipase A2 but its effects on haemostasis have yet to be characterised. This prospective study aimed to characterise haemostatic abnormalities in Vp-envenomed dogs from presentation to discharge or death, and their association with mortality. Samples from 39 Vp-envenomed dogs were collected periodically and examined for haematology, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin activity (ATA), fibrinogen level and D-dimer concentration. All dogs presented with severe local signs and most (79%) had systemic signs. Six dogs (15%) died. Haemostatic abnormalities were present in 37/39 dogs. Increased D-dimer concentrations were detected in 28/31 dogs. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was diagnosed in 10 dogs and in all non-survivors. Platelet and leucocyte counts at presentation, maximum PT and aPTT, and minimum ATA during hospitalisation were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors and were good predictors of the outcome. The results show that hypercoagulability, consumption and derangement of haemostasis are common in Vp-envenomed dogs and are associated with mortality. Haemostasis should be closely monitored in such dogs.
Aroch
I
I
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel. aroch@agri.huji.ac.il
Yas-Natan
E
E
Kuzi
S
S
Segev
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017819:Viperidae
D000997:Antivenins; D014757:Viper Venoms