Presentation
Two styles of presentation have been adopted. Certain topics are discussed in depth either because of their clinical importance or because recent data have become available concerning pathophysiology or treatment. [books.google.com]
Most patients arrived in hospital within two hours, but a few delayed their presentation and nine cases presented to hospital more than 12 hours after the bite. [npis.org]
Dog bites usually occur in autumn (March to May) in Africa [2] and affected dogs often present with dramatic local swelling in the region of the bite. [vetbook.org]
The great r numbers of Snakebite victim in Kenya take hours to days before they present in hospital and this increases the morbidity and mortality of those affected. [erepository.uonbi.ac.ke]
Sometimes, only one fang mark or multiple punctures are present. Neurologic signs, including muscle fasciculations, are possible if neurotoxic crotalid venom is involved. [merckvetmanual.com]
Entire Body System
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Fever
Serum sickness causes fevers, joint aches, itching, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, but it is not life threatening. [webmd.com]
Systemic manifestations of envenomation can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, diaphoresis, anxiety, confusion, spontaneous bleeding, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, paresthesias, hypotension, and shock. [merckmanuals.com]
If venom is absorbed into the lymphatic system and then the systemic circulation it will cause a widespread inflammatory reaction leading to symptoms such as lethargy, fever, increased heart and respiratory rates, drooling, vomiting and a wobbly gait [chartervets.com]
Rinkhals are nocturnal, but may occasionally be seen basking during the day. (9) Symptoms of bites are local swelling / bruising, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, violent abdominal pain and a mild fever. Difficulty breathing may be seen. [yourownvet.com]
Necrosis (tissue death) of skin, connective tissue and muscles is an evident risk. general symptoms: increasing grogginess, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, fever, falling blood pressure and shock. [netdoctor.co.uk]
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Rigor
Due to a host of problems, these populations are probably still declining despite rigorous efforts to protect them. [masnakes.org]
Post - mortem reveals the appearances of asphyxia, rigor mortis is characteristic, but its absence is not a decisively negative sign. The feet, or in birds, the claws, are generally in curved, and the muscles of the jaws are rigid. Treatment. [booksupstairs.com]
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Soft Tissue Swelling
In conjunction with the typical cytotoxic effects inflicted by a significant puff adder bite (e.g. progressive soft tissue swelling), it is also of vital importance to determine if coagulation parameters, erythrocytes (RBCs) and particularly platelet [nature.com]
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Unable to Stand
The recommended dose is often not possible and our aim is to keep the animal breathing even though it may be a bit weak or unable to stand. The effect of the toxin will generally wear off after 24–48 hours. [bronberger.co.za]
Gastrointestinal
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Overeating
This should be done VERY SLOWLY over a period of 10 minutes to prevent a bolus release of venom. [toxicology.ucsd.edu]
They give birth to a large number of offspring, 20 to 60 is usual, but litters of over 80 young have been reported, t he newborns are between 12.5cm and 17.5 cm in length. [snake-facts.weebly.com]
Yes, admittedly it does only deliver sufficient venom to kill over 200,000 mice with a single bite – the inland taipan could theoretically kill over a million. [planetdeadly.com]
The Puff Adder is widespread over much of South Africa and elsewhere further north into Africa. It is a heavy-bodied snake that relies on its excellent camouflage and is reluctant to move. [africansnakebiteinstitute.com]
It is by far the largest venomous snake in Africa, historically reaching 4.5 m, although specimens over 3.8 m are unheard of nowadays. [africageographic.com]
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Hematemesis
Patients with coagulopathy typically hemorrhage from the bite site or from venipuncture sites or mucous membranes, with epistaxis, gingival bleeding, hematemesis, hematochezia, hematuria, or a combination. [merckmanuals.com]
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Regurgitation
Kauffeld (1969) mentions that specimens can be maintained for years on only one meal per week, but that when offered all they can eat, the result is often death, or at best wholesale regurgitation. [9] They are bad-tempered snakes and some specimens never [en.wikipedia.org]
Cardiovascular
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Hypotension
Circulatory Shock : Hypotension and bradycardia are frequent complications of Puff Adder bites. [toxicology.ucsd.edu]
Hypovolemia: Later, blood and fluids pool in the microcirculation, causing hypotension, lactic acidemia, shock, and, in severe cases, multisystem organ failure. [merckmanuals.com]
Shocked, hypotensive patients should be given intravenous fluids. [cmej.org.za]
Any dog or cat presented within 24 hr of a snakebite showing signs of crotalid envenomation requires intensive treatment, starting with IV crystalloids to combat hypotension. [merckvetmanual.com]
Hypotension, together with weakness, dizziness and periods of semi- or unconsciousness is also reported. [3] If not treated carefully, necrosis will spread, causing skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle to separate from healthy tissue and eventually slough [en.wikipedia.org]
Skin
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Cold, Clammy Skin
Symptoms of shock include: faintness or collapsing pale, cold, clammy skin sweating rapid, shallow breathing weakness and dizziness blindness feeling sick and possibly vomiting drowsiness or loss of consciousness After calling an ambulance, lay the person [nhs.uk]
clammy skin. [2] [14] Television, literature, and folklore are in part responsible for the hype surrounding snakebites, and people may have unwarranted thoughts of imminent death. [en.wikipedia.org]
Face, Head & Neck
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Epistaxis
Patients with coagulopathy typically hemorrhage from the bite site or from venipuncture sites or mucous membranes, with epistaxis, gingival bleeding, hematemesis, hematochezia, hematuria, or a combination. [merckmanuals.com]
Bleeding usually manifests as gingival bleeding, epistaxis, purpura, haematemesis, melaena, haematuria, extensive ecchymoses, and in severe cases, subarachnoid or intracerebral haemorrhage. [cmej.org.za]
Neurologic
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Seizure
Other symptoms of snake bites in children may include dilation of the pupils, shock and seizures. In addition, they may experience uncontrolled shuddering or tremors and their speech may become slurred. [herbs2000.com]
(d) Motor symptoms comprise: trembling, quivering, cramp, stiffness or twisting of the neck, locking of jaws, epileptiform or convulsive seizures, paralysis of the hind or all the limbs, loss of feeling or great irritability of the skin. [booksupstairs.com]
Workup
The doctor treats breathing problems, shock, and/or immediately life-threatening injuries even before a full workup is complete. The wound needs to be examined and cleaned. [webmd.com]
The doctor treats breathing problems, shock, and/or immediately life-threatening injuries even before a full workup is complete. The wound will be examined and cleaned. [emedicinehealth.com]
Treatment
The purpose of this book is to provide an up-to-date account of the diag nosis and treatment of all the clinically important poisons. [books.google.com]
Systemic and local treatment, including hyperbaric oxygenation, effected a full recovery. We suggest that, whenever feasible, hyperbaric oxygenation should be considered as adjunct treatment in snake bites to avert adverse outcomes. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Do not administer any form of alternative treatment. The only proven treatment for snake bites is anti-venom. [farmersweekly.co.za]
Antivenom is the best treatment for all signs and symptoms of Puff Adder bites and should be utilized prior to other treatment modalities. [toxicology.ucsd.edu]
Rapid examination and appropriate treatment are paramount. Owners should not spend time on first aid other than to keep the animal quiet and limit its activity. [merckvetmanual.com]
Prognosis
Snakebite Prognosis and Outcomes Although the vast majority of victims bitten by venomous snakes in the United States do very well, predicting the prognosis in any individual case can be difficult. [emedicinehealth.com]
The prognosis of snakebite depends on the type and species of snake, location of the bite, size of the victim, degree of envenomation, and the time interval between the bite and the institution of treatment. [merckvetmanual.com]
If your cat receives prompt veterinary attention, the prognosis is good, between 80-90% of cats who receive antivenom will survive a snake bite. Aftercare: Administer all medications as instructed by your veterinarian. [cat-world.com]
Outlook Although the vast majority of victims bitten by venomous snakes in the United States do very well, predicting the prognosis in any individual case can be difficult. [webmd.com]
[1] Risk factors Working outside with one's hands ( farming, forestry, construction) [1] [3] Prevention Protective footwear, avoiding areas where snakes live, not handling snakes [1] Treatment Washing the wound with soap and water, antivenom [1] [4] Prognosis [en.wikipedia.org]
Etiology
Loco disease is common in Colorado and Montana, and as with lathyrism the etiology is obscure, but no doubt is felt that the disease is caused by leguminous plants of the Astragalus species. [booksupstairs.com]
Epidemiology
Baseline epidemiological study on snake-bite treatment and management. Weekly Epidemiolog Rev. 1987;42:319-320. 14. Hansdak SG, Lallar KS, Pokharel P, Shyangwa P, Karki P, Koirala S. A clinico-epidemiological study of snake bite in Nepal. [priory.com]
The epidemiology of snakebite in Northern Natal. S Afr Med J 1982;62:206-212. Davidson RA. Case of African Cobra bite. Brit Med J1970;4:660. Hardy DL. [cmej.org.za]
Epidemiology [ edit ] Map showing the approximate world distribution of snakes. Map showing the global distribution of snakebite morbidity. [en.wikipedia.org]
Pathophysiology
Certain topics are discussed in depth either because of their clinical importance or because recent data have become available concerning pathophysiology or treatment. [books.google.com]
Other systemic manifestations depend upon the pathophysiological changes induced by the venom of that particular species (See Fig. 1). [priory.com]
The resulting pathophysiology is therefore enormously complex. [nature.com]
[…] diamondback rattlesnakes. [2] In South Asia, it was previously believed that Indian cobras, common kraits, Russell's viper, and carpet vipers were the most dangerous; other snakes, however, may also cause significant problems in this area of the world. [19] Pathophysiology [en.wikipedia.org]
In many animal venoms, Phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) is important for immobilization an digestion of the prey, as well as responsible for a variety of toxic and pharmacological actions, some of which are associated with the pathophysiology of snakebite envenoming [journals.plos.org]
Prevention
Their venoms are exclusively haemotoxic and acts on the clotting cascade preventing blood clotting which can cause internal and external bleeding. [africanxmag.com]
The vipers strike low and most of their bit s can be prevented by the wearing of boots or shoes. First id in the form of a tourniquet is of no value in viper bites. Two other vipers are worth of note. [erepository.uonbi.ac.ke]
Treatment for crotalid envenomation should be directed toward preventing or controlling shock, neutralizing venom, preventing or controlling coagulopathy, minimizing necrosis, and preventing secondary infection. [merckvetmanual.com]
How to prevent and control snake bite in dogs? Rattle snake vaccines are available for dogs and cats but the vaccine remains controversial. [animalhealthcareveterinary.blogspot.com]
Preventing Snakebites The snake is almost always more scared of the human, than the human is of the snake, it is assumed because giving the snake the opportunity to escape prevents most bites. [emedicinehealth.com]