SNAKE BITE ENVENOMATION IN A BUFFALO: A CASE REPORT
Siddhartha Savale1, Nayanakumara S.R2, Dhanraj Girimal3
- Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Dispensary Sonal, Bidar, Karnataka
- Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Dispensary Manne, Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka
- Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Dispensary Srimandal, Bidar, Karnataka
Email: drsid1048@gmail.com
Abstract:
A seven year old buffalo in third trimester of pregnancy was reported to veterinary dispensary with history of snake bite at metacarpal region, salivation and swelling at brisket region. On physical examination fang marks were noticed at metacarpal region with slight bleeding, hurried respiration and was confirmed as snake bite envenomation. The successful treatment was provided using polyvalent snake anti-venom, fluids, corticosteroids, antibiotics and anticholinergics. Edema reduced gradually after three days, animal started feed intake on very next day of treatment.
Keywords: Snake Bite, Envenomation, Polyvalent Snake Anti-Venom, Edema, Hemotoxic
Introduction:
A venomous Snake bite is one of the true emergency conditions in livestock if left unobserved will lead to death and economic loss to farmer. Most common bite sites in large animals are head and limbs. Virtually 300 snake species inhabit the varying habitats across the country, of which more than 60 are venomous, 40 are mildly venomous, and about 180 non-venomous. The species fall under four families – Colubridae, Elapidae, Hydrophiidae, and Viperidae (Gupta., 2022). Four major venomous snakes as reported by National snakebite management protocol, 2009 are Cobra, Krait, Russell’s viper and Saw-Scaled Viper shown in figure 1 below. Out of which Cobra and Krait are neurotoxic which cause muscle paralysis, respiratory failure leading to death while Russell’s viper and Saw-Scaled Viper are hemotoxic which cause erythrocyte lysis, disrupt blood clotting, edema leading to death.
Fig1. Venomous snakes
Case history and clinical observations
A seven year old buffalo in third trimester of pregnancy was presented to veterinary dispensary Sonal with history of snake bite at metacarpal region and swelling at left arm region as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Showing bite mark and edema
Subsequently there was history of anorexia, salivation, dullness, lameness and restlessness. Clinical examination revealed rectal temperature 99.6 F, congested mucus membranes, hurried respiration, salivation, edema, fang marks at metacarpal region and sero-sanguineous fluid and blood oozing at bite site. Blood was collected and 20 minute whole blood clotting test was performed which resulted clotting impairment. On basis of clinical examination and whole blood clotting test the bite was confirmed to be of hemotoxic venom.
Treatment and Discussion
The affected buffalo was treated with Polyvalent Snake Anti-Venom with normal saline 500ml intravenously, tetanus toxoid (5 ml i.m.), glucocorticoid Dexamethasone @ 2mg/kgb.wt.i.v, antibiotic Amoxicillin @10mg/kg i.v., anticholinergics Atropine sulphate and B complex 10ml i.m. the animal was kept under close observation and 20 minute whole blood clotting test was done again after gap of two hours of administration and still there was clotting impairment found. Second dose of Polyvalent Snake Anti-Venom with normal saline 500ml was given intravenously and subsequently after two hours 20 minute whole blood clotting test was done and this time clotting was present which confirmed venom had been neutralized, there was reduction in salivation and respiration rate.
Follow up treatment was done for three days animal started feed intake on very next day of treatment. Edema subsided gradually and the buffalo recovered fully and was active on 3rd day of treatment as shown in figure 3.
Figure3. Animal on 3rd day of treatment
Similar treatment with polyvalent snake venom antiserum and dexamethasone and tetanus toxoid have been tried earlier to treat snake bite envenomation in dogs and buffalo (Kumar et al., 2016; Chandrashekar et al., 2016; Kachhawal et al., 2016; Senthilkumar et al., 2018).
Polyvalent antivenom accelerates the dissociation of the toxin receptors complexes, reverses the paralysis and neutralizes circulating venom (Kanchawa et al., 2016). The severity of envenomation depends on the species of snake whether it is neurotoxic or hemotoxic, the site of bite on head, limbs and subcutaneous fat of the animal similar findings were noticed by, (Radostits et al., 2009).
References:
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Gupta, A., (2022). Venomous Snakes of India. https://wildlifesos.org/animals/venomous-snakes-of-india
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