An investigation, in vitro, of the actions of three Western Australian snakes on the blood coagulation of the dog, cat, horse and wallaby.

This research article explores the procoagulant effects of three different snake venoms – tiger snake, brown snake, and death adder – on the blood of four different animal species: dogs, cats, horses, and wallabies. It suggests potential practical applications for veterinary treatment of snake bites.

Overview of Experimental Procedures

• The study involved in vitro (in a lab, outside living organisms) testing of the venoms of three different species of snakes found in Western Australia: the tiger snake, the brown snake, and the death adder. The venom was tested on the plasma of four different animals: dogs, cats, horses, and wallabies.

Influence of Snake Venom on Blood Coagulation

• Venom from the tiger snake and brown snake was found to be procoagulant, meaning that it stimulates the clotting of blood. However, the degree to which each venom affects coagulation differs. Tiger snake venom’s coagulant activity was minimal in the absence of calcium and phospholipid, while brown snake venom demonstrated marked coagulant activity on its own, with even more activity when calcium and phospholipid were present.
• Conversely, the venom of the death adder was found to have an anticoagulant effect, meaning it inhibits blood coagulation, preventing the formation of clots.

Variations in Coagulation Response One Species to Another

• Differences in susceptibility to the procoagulant venoms across animal species were observed. These differences were believed to be attributable to variations in the baseline control values used for the experiments, rather than a variation in how the venoms interact with prothrombin, a protein involved in blood clotting.

Implications for Veterinary Practice

• The conclusion of the study suggests a potential use for these findings in veterinary medicine. Clotting studies could be used to diagnose and potentially inform treatments in cases of suspected snake bites. This could provide a valuable tool to assess the severity of the bite and guide the subsequent treatment protocols.