American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) bite accidents in dogs in Argentina

• Published in: Arquivo brasileiro de medicina veterinária e zootecnia 2000-04, Vol.52 (2), p.125-129
• Main Authors: Koscinczuk, P, Perez, O.A. de, Teibler, P, Marunak, S, Rosciani, A.S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: accident; ACCIDENT PREVENTION; ACIDENTE; CAO; CHIEN; COBRA PECONHENTA; Crotalus durissus terrificus; CULEBRA; Dog; DOGS; PERRO; PREVENCION DE ACCIDENTES; PREVENTION DES ACCIDENTS; rattlesnake; SERPENT; SINTOMA; SINTOMAS; SNAKES; SYMPTOME; SYMPTOMS; VETERINARY SCIENCES
• ISSN: 0102-0935; 1678-4162; 1678-4162; 0102-0935
• DOI: 10.1590/S0102-09352000000200007

The symptomatology and treatment of two dogs bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus are described. Neurological signs were present few minutes after the accident with local anesthesia and ataxia of the affected limb and neurotoxic fascia. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and calcium were evaluated in an attempt to investigate muscle damage. Renal failure was not observed but some alterations were detected in urine. Urine density was low and the urinary sediment contained granular clumps and small round cells. Muscle samples were obtained from both legs for histopathological study, showing edema and isolated necrotic fibers. Both dogs received treatment within four hours after the accident by intravenous route. The antivenom was administered diluted in 250ml of Ringer solution in a dose enough to inactivate more than 8mg of venom. Dexamethasone was applied previously to the antivenom. Clinical evolution was good and both patients were in good health condition on the second day after the accident. Descreve-se a sintomatología e o tratamento de dois cães picados por cascavel da America do Sul (Crotalus durissus terrificus) na Argentina. Sinais neurológicos foram evidentes poucos minutos após o acidente, incluindo anestesia local, ataxia do membro afetado e fascia neurotóxica. As enzimas aminotransferase da alanina, aminotransferase do aspartato, quinase da creatinina, desidrogenase de lactato e o cálcio foram determinados para analisar dano muscular. Falha renal não foi observada, mas algunas alterações foram detectadas na urina, incluindo densidade baixa, sedimento com grumos granulares e células pequenas redondas. Biópsias de músculo foram obtidas de ambas as pernas para histopatología, revelando edema e fibras necróticas isoladas. Ambos os cães receberam tratamento quatro horas após o acidente, pela via intravenosa. A antitoxina foi administrada diluída em 250ml de solução Ringer lactato na dose capaz de neutralizar 8mg de toxina. Dexametasona foi aplicada antes de administrar a antitoxina. A evolução clínica foi boa e ambos os pacientes estavam com boa saúde no segundo dia após o acidente.