VENOMIZATION

VENOMIZATION

Sheikh Uzma Farooq¹, Aditya Sharma^2*, Muskan³

¹Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Amritsar, 143001

²Department of Veterinary Pathology, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Amritsar, 143001

³4^th Professional year student, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Amritsar, 143001      

*Aditya Sharma, Department of Veterinary Pathology, KCVAS, Amritsar, aditya555sharma@gmail.com, 7018635195

ABSTRACT: Snake envenomation is an emergency situation requiring prompt veterinary intervention. Snake venom consists of complex mixtures of proteins that are either enzymatic or non enzymatic, derived from salivary glands of the animal. Snake venom harms its prey as they digests the tissue of their body. Three main categories of snake venom are: Haemotoxic, Neurotoxic and Cytotoxic. Most snake bite accidents occur during the summer months and many times such bites go unnoticed because of the inquisitive behavior of the bitten animal. Treatment is largely supportive, antivenom, when available, can be helpul in reducing clinical signs and speedy recovery.

Keywords: Envenomation, Haemotoxic, Neurotoxic, Cytotoxic, Treatment

INTRODUCTION:

Venom is the poisonous secretion of an animal, produced by specialized glands that are often associated with spines, teeth, stings, or other piercing devices. Venomization is the process of injecting venom into victim by a bite with specially adapted fangs. Asia, India, Africa, Central and South America are areas in which snake populations are large. Fatal snakebites are more common in dogs than in other domestic animals because of relatively small size of dogs in proportion to the amount of venom injected. Because of their larger size horses and cattle, seldom die as a direct result of snake bite however death may occur due to bites on their head, muzzle and neck.

TYPES OF SNAKE:

CLASSIFICATION OF VENOMOUS SNAKES:

1. Elapidae: Coral snakes, cobra, kraits, mambas
2. Crotalidae: Bush master, pit vipers
3. Viperidae: Vipers & adders
4. Hydrophidae: True sea snakes
5. Laticaudidae: Sea snakes
6. Colubridae: Boomslang, birds snakes, red necked, keelback snakes

For Toxicological purpose 2 main classes of venomous snakes are:

1LELAPINES

2.VIPERINES

Toxic components/principles of venom :

• Proteins
  • Enzymes (about 10 different types are found in snake venom out of 26 kinds )
  • Proteolytic enzymes (protease) , Hyaluronidase
  • Collagenase , Lipase
  • AChE , RNAse
  • DNase , Ophio-oxidase (autolysis & putrification)
  • Phospholipase A, B, & C and Thrombin like enzymes
  • L-amino acid oxidase (give yellow color to venom, catalysis of oxidation of L-alpha-amino & alpha-hydroxy acids)
• Non-enzymes
  • Low molecular weight polypeptides: neurotoxins, haemotoxins, cytotoxins, toxalbumins, etc. Neurotoxicity due to peptides, amides, polypeptides, etc.

• Non-proteins
  • Lipids, steroids, glycoproteins, amines,
  • Metals: Na, Ca, K, Mg, Co, Fe, Ni, Cd, etc.

Clinical signs of Snake biting

Haemotoxin Venom:

• Local swelling at the site of bite.
• Restlessness, teeth grinding and hypotension.
• Salivation, dyspnea, ataxia and convulsion.
• Headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, lethargy and mental disorientation
• Bruising and bleeding at the site of bite and from all the body openings.
• Toxicity to the blood cells along with thinning of blood.
• Death due to septicemia.
• Peak local swelling (48-72 hrs); Pain (2-4 wks) followed by death (2-14 days).
• g. Rattle, viper, Boom slang, vine snake.

Neurotoxin Venom:

• Tissue damage at bite site, discoloration of tissues.
• Dark bloody fluid may ooze from fang/ bite.
• Skin becomes cold and pupils get dilated.
• “Pins and needles” sensation in body, dizziness, poor co-ordination, slurred speech, excessive salivation and drooping eyelids.
• Extensive tissue damage – local suppuration, sloughing, Gangrene and malignant edema.
• Salivation, hyper excitability and mydriasis.
• Asphyxia, gasping, recumbency, convulsion, difficulty in breathing. regurgitation of ruminal contents, paralysis of tongue, esophagus & larynx.
• Death within 6 – 24 hrs.
• g. Cobra & krait, Mambas.

Cytotoxin Venom:

• Toxic to tissues and act on blood vessels.
• It causes extreme pain, swelling of the limb and blistering.
• Death due to loss of blood– dehydration and secondary infection
• g Adder venom

  Do’s during snake bite:

• Get away from the snake.
• Obtain a clear description of snake.
• Stay calm and patient.
• Wrap a creep or pressure bandage at the local area of bite in the direction of blood flow.
• Keep as still as possible and immobilize the affected limb.
• If snake spits on eyes than rinse the eyes with large amounts of water holding the head under a running tap water.
• Observe the person and record the symptoms and the time taken for them to appear.

Dont’s during snake bite:

• Use of antivenom by yourself.
• Cut and suck the wound by mouth.
• Eat or drink anything.
• Rub potassium permanganate into the wound or soak the limb in home remedies.
• Catch the snake without expert & kill the snake.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis can be done by knowing the history and clinical signs like fang mark, oozing of blood and swelling.

Differential diagnosis:

• Nervous syndrome.
• Tick paralysis, Organophosphate poisoning, Fluoroacetate poisoning.
• Blackleg, Anthrax in horses and pigs, Non-specific phlegmonous infections.

Treatment:

General management –

• Do not disturb the animal.
• Application of tourniquet.
• Incise the local area in direction of blood vessels.
• Wash the area of snake bite with 5 % soap solution.

Specific therapy-

• Inject monovalent Antivenin.
• Polyvalent Antivenin (i/v) & local infiltration (5-10 ml at site s/c)

– Small animals: (Dogs) – upto 10 ml (i/v)

– Large animals: Depending on body wt: 100ml i/v

• Adrenaline s/c: 0.5-1 ml of 1:1000 dilution.

Supportive therapy –

• Fluid therapy: ringer lactate
• Corticosteroid –in case of shock/ anaphylactic reaction
• Antihistaminic drugs (10-50 mg s/c or 10-20 ml i/v )
• Tetanus antitoxin (specially in Horses)
• Anticonvulsants
• Pain killer
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Blood transfusion if there is excessive loss of blood
• Hemoglobin glutamer in case of hypovolumia.

Conclusion:

Snakebite with envenomation is a true emergency. Rapid examination and appropriate treatment is paramount .To avoid snake encounters; keep walkways clear of bushes, flowers and shrubs. Properly clean any spilled food, fruit, or bird seed, which can attract rodents and therefore snakes to your yard. If you frequently take your pet outside, be aware of places where your pet may encounter a snake bite.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Textbook of veterinary toxicology – by Harpal Singh Sandhu and Rajinder Singh Brar.
2. Veterinary medicine –by Otto M Radostis.
3. The Merck Veterinary Manual (11^th edition).

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