Elapid snake envenomation in horses: 52 cases (2006-2016).
Abstract: Snake envenomation is a cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic animals worldwide. The clinical features of crotalid snake (pit viper) envenomation are widely reported and well described in horses but elapid snake envenomation is poorly characterised. Objective: To describe the presentation, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of horses with a diagnosis of elapid snake envenomation in Australia. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses with a diagnosis of elapid snake envenomation (2006-2016) at several university and private veterinary practices were reviewed. Inclusion criteria comprised one or more of the following: 1) observed snakebite, 2) positive snake venom detection kit (SVDK) result, 3) appropriate clinical response to treatment with antivenom or 4) supportive post-mortem findings. Results: Fifty-two cases met the inclusion criteria. Most cases (94%) demonstrated clinical signs of neurotoxicity, characterised by generalised neuromuscular weakness. Associated neurologic signs included staggering gait, muscle fasciculations, recumbency, mydriasis, ptosis and tongue paresis. Concurrent clinically important conditions included rhabdomyolysis (50%) and haemolysis (19%). Of 18 urine samples evaluated with a SVDK, only three (17%) were positive. Overall survival was favourable (86%) among 49 horses who received antivenom. Eighteen surviving horses (43%) required more than one vial of antivenom. Conclusions: Possible cases within the searchable database were not included if horses died acutely or responded to symptomatic treatment without receiving antivenom. Conclusions: Elapid snake envenomation is primarily a syndrome of neuromuscular weakness. Supportive anamnesis or an obvious bite site is rarely encountered. In endemic areas, this diagnosis should be considered for horses with generalised neuromuscular weakness, altered mentation, rhabdomyolysis and/or haemolysis; especially during spring and summer months. Diagnostic suspicion is best confirmed by response to treatment with antivenom.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-09-06 PubMed ID: 28787774DOI: 10.1111/evj.12735Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research focuses on a retrospective case study of elapid snake envenomation in horses in Australia carried out from 2006 to 2016. The study identifies the symptoms, treatment methods and recovery outcomes in these cases.
Research Objective
- The primary goal of this research was to analyze and categorize the clinical and laboratory findings, treatment methods, and outcomes of horses diagnosed with elapid snake envenomation. This study was driven by the lack of detailed characterization of elapid snake envenomation cases in horses.
Methods
- The study was retrospective in nature. The researchers reviewed medical records of diagnosed cases of elapid snake envenomation in horses over ten years (2006-2016).
- A case was included in the study if it met at least one of the following criteria: observed snakebite, a positive result on a snake venom detection kit (SVDK), an appropriate clinical response to treatment with antivenom, or supportive post-mortem findings.
Results
- Out of all the cases that met the inclusion criteria, 94% of the horses manifested clinical signs of neurotoxicity, characterized by generalized neuromuscular weakness. Related neurological symptoms included staggering gait, muscle fasciculations, recumbency, mydriasis, ptosis, and tongue paresis.
- Other notable clinical conditions that developed concurrently included rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) in 50% of the cases, and hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown) in 19% of the cases.
- The urine of only three out of the 18 evaluated horses tested positive for snake venom using the SVDK.
- In terms of treatment outcomes, 86% of the 49 horses that received antivenom survived. About 43% of these survivors required more than one vial of antivenom.
Conclusions
- The study found that elapid snake envenomation primarily causes neuromuscular weakness in horses. However, an obvious snake bite site or supportive anamnesis is rarely encountered.
- Based on clinical signs and concurrent conditions such as generalised neuromuscular weakness, altered mentation, rhabdomyolysis, and/or haemolysis, horses in endemic areas should be suspected to have been bitten by an elapid snake, especially during spring and summer months.
- A diagnosis of elapid snake envenomation is best confirmed by observing a horse’s response to treatment with antivenom.
Cite This Article
APA
Bamford NJ, Sprinkle SB, Cudmore LA, Cullimore AM, van Eps AW, Verdegaal EJMM, Tennent-Brown BS.
(2017).
Elapid snake envenomation in horses: 52 cases (2006-2016).
Equine Vet J, 50(2), 196-201.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12735 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
- Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antivenins / therapeutic use
- Australia / epidemiology
- Elapidae
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Snake Bites / veterinary
- Snake Venoms / toxicity
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