Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation in a horse.

A 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (horse) was found to be suffering from tiger snake envenomation. The study used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to confirm the diagnosis, and treatment with antivenom and supportive medical care led to an excellent recovery.

Introduction and Methods

• This research presents a case study of a Thoroughbred gelding, a breed of horse, which was suffering from the symptoms of snake envenomation. The symptoms exhibited by the horse included muscle fasciculation, reluctance to move, profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), rapid breathing (tachypnea), and a localized swelling on the muzzle.
• Based on these symptoms and the horse’s behavioral changes, the researchers suspected a snakebite, particularly from a tiger snake.
• To confirm their diagnosis, the team performed a sandwich ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test on both the horse’s serum and urine samples. A sandwich ELISA is a kind of clinical test often used to detect the presence of antigens (like snake venom) in a given sample.

Results

• The ELISA test carried out on the urine sample accurately confirmed the suspected diagnosis of tiger snake envenomation. The test results indicated the presence of snake venom, which combined with the observed symptoms left little doubt about the source of the horse’s ailment.

Conclusion and Treatment

• Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the horse was promptly treated with antivenom designed to neutralize the toxins of the tiger snake venom. Aside from antivenom, the gelding was also given supportive medical therapy to help it recover from the effects of the envenomation.
• The treatment was very successful. The horse’s response was excellent, illustrating that with prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy, recovery from tiger snake envenomation in horses can be achieved and potentially fatal complications can be prevented.