Snakebite in the horse.
Abstract: Four cases of snakebite in horses are presented. Diagnosis was made on clinical signs in all, plus fang punctures in 2 cases. Tiger snake antivenene was used in the treatment of 2 patients and these recovered rapidly. Of the 2 in which antivenene was not used, 1 severely affected horse died. The clinical signs which were observed were those of progressive general paralysis and were entirely referable to the neurotoxic component of the venom.
Publication Date: 1975-01-01 PubMed ID: 1164270DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1975.tb14495.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper presents a study on four horses that were bitten by snakes. Their symptoms, treatments, and outcomes were monitored, with two of the horses treated with Tiger snake antivenin recovering speedily.
Study Design and Subjects
- The study is largely observational and is built upon four cases of snakebites in horses.
- The diagnosis in all cases was made based on observed clinical signs and, in two cases, evidence of fang puncture marks.
Treatment Administered
- For two of the horses, Tiger snake antivenin was administered as a treatment.
- The remaining two horses did not receive the antivenin.
Clinical Findings and Outcomes
- The horses that were administered the antivenin treatment recovered rapidly.
- However, one of the horses that did not receive the antivenin treatment died due to severe venom-induced complications.
- The primary symptoms noticed across the four horses were steadily worsening paralysis signs, pointing to the neurotoxic impact of the snake venom.
Implications and Contribution to Knowledge
- This study offers insight into the potentially fatal consequences of snakebites in horses, and the effectiveness of antivenin treatment in mitigating these effects.
- The observation of paralysis symptoms further corroborates that snake venom predominantly impacts the nervous system in horses.
- It emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in cases of snakebite in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Fitzgerald WE.
(1975).
Snakebite in the horse.
Aust Vet J, 51(1), 37-39.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1975.tb14495.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antivenins / therapeutic use
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Snake Bites / diagnosis
- Snake Bites / therapy
- Snake Bites / veterinary
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