Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Brazilian Native Bothrops Envenomation in Nine Horses.

The research article discusses the study of clinical records of nine horses diagnosed with Bothrops envenomation (snakebites), the severity of the incidents, the signs observed, treatments administered, and the effectiveness of the treatment methods.

Research Background and Methodology

• The study was a retrospective research conducted on the diagnosed cases of nine horses that suffered from Bothrops envenomation.
• The researchers evaluated the severity of the snakebite incidents using an adapted Bothropic snakebite severity score (BSSS), which categorizes cases into severe, moderate, and mild.

Findings

• All the snakebite incidents happened in the head region of the horses.
• The primary clinical signs observed in the horses were local edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation), blood coagulation disorders, and respiratory distress.
• The whole-blood clotting time (WBCT) was found to be prolonged in all horses, and five out of the nine horses even showed uncoagulable blood.
• Each of the horses received specific snake antivenom treatment according to the severity of their conditions as quantified by the BSSS.
• Emergency tracheotomy (an incision in the windpipe made to relieve an obstruction to breathing) was required for six out of the nine horses due to respiratory distress.

Results and Conclusion

• One out of the nine horses died after eight days of hospitalization, while the rest were discharged after nine days.
• The bothropic snakebite severity score (BSSS) combined with the whole-blood clotting time (WBCT) proved useful in predicting the prognosis and determining the appropriate amount and frequency of antivenom therapy necessary for each case.
• The authors conclude that snakebite incidents should be treated as emergencies, where timely and effective therapeutic intervention can positively alter the prognosis.