title: Fatal self-envenomation in a brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, from south-east Queensland.
abstract: The case history and clinical signs of a fatal self-envenomation event by a brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, in South-east Queensland, Australia, are presented. Clinical signs began 20 minutes post-envenomation with muscle twitching, ataxia, and heat seeking behavior which progressed to partial paralysis by 6 hours, generalised paralysis and respiratory arrest at 10 hours and cardiac arrest by 12 hours post-envenomation. Clinical signs are suggestive of potent neurotoxicity for B. irregularis to its own venom.
authors.affiliation: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, 4223, Australia. Electronic address: ahill@cws.org.au.
authors.forename: Andrew Gordon
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, 4223, Australia. Electronic address: lewis@wildcare.org.au.
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKillop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017812:Colubridae; D011793:Queensland; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D012910:Snake Venoms
keywords: Boiga; Colubrid; Envenomation; Fatal; Snake