title: Prairie rattlesnake envenomation in 27 New World camelids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morbidity and case fatality from rattlesnake envenomation is regionally specific because of variability in relative toxicity of the species of snake encountered. A previous report of rattlesnake envenomation in New World camelids (NWC) from the western coastal United States documented high case fatality rates and guarded prognosis for survival.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe clinical findings, treatments, and outcome of NWC with prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) envenomation in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven NWC admitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute rattlesnake envenomation between 1992 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of NWC evaluated for rattlesnake envenomation as coded by the attending clinician and identified by a database search were reviewed retrospectively. Month of admission, signalment, area of bite, clinical and clinicopathologic data, treatments, and outcome were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five llamas and 2 alpacas were admitted for envenomation. Llamas were overrepresented compared to hospital caseload. The face was the most common site of envenomation, observed in 96% of recorded cases. Presenting clinical signs included fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, and respiratory distress. Nine animals required a tracheotomy. Median hospitalization time was 3 days and overall survival rate was 69%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Case fatality rate for prairie rattlesnake envenomation in NWC was lower than that reported in the Western coastal region of the United States and similar to that reported for prairie rattlesnake envenomation in horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sonis
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Callan
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Hackett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000506:poisoning; D017839:Crotalus; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms
keywords: Alpaca; Antivenin; Llama; Snake