Mojave toxin-type ascending flaccid paralysis after an envenomation by a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake in a dog.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical presentation and case management of a dog that developed ascending flaccid paralysis after being envenomated by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake.


METHODS
A dog was presented after it was bitten by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake. Only mild local edema and a minor coagulapathy developed, which is atypical for the Southern Pacific envenomation where hemotoxic effects are more commonly observed. Instead, a severe, rapidly progressing, ascending flaccid paralysis leading to acute respiratory failure, consistent with Mojave toxin, was seen. The patient was treated with repeated doses of antivenin and supported with mechanical ventilation. Despite clinical improvement of the paralysis over subsequent 3 days and successful weaning off the ventilator, the dog decompensated and succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
The geographic region where this envenomation occurred has a documented population of Southern Pacific rattlesnakes with Mojave toxin in their venom. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first reported case in the veterinary literature of an ascending flaccid paralysis, consistent with Mojave toxin, developing after an envenomation by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake.
Emergency Department of California Veterinary Specialists, Murrieta, CA 92562, USA. shdvm@roadrunner.com
Sarah R
SR
Hoggan
Amy
A
Carr
Karen A
KA
Sausman
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002140:California; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; C018107:Mojave toxin