Abstract
Although snakebites are frequently seen in small animal practice in South Africa, boomslang (Dispholidus typus) bites are infrequent due to their shy habits. Boomslang venom is a potent procoagulent, causing a consumption coagulopathy and profuse haemorrhage. Boomslang monovalent antivenom is the most effective treatment. This case report describes and discusses 2 small dogs that were presented to a private practice after being bitten by the same boomslang. Boomslang monovalent antivenom administration to both resulted in cessation of bleeding within 45 minutes. One of the dogs developed severe adverse reactions to the antivenom, including vomiting, dyspnoea and nystagmus, which responded well to intravenous cortisone and symptomatic treatment.
Highlights
Snakebites in dogs are frequently seen in small animal practice in South Africa[14]
Boomslang venom is a potent procoagulant that, in humans, activates prothrombin and factor X resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a consumptive coagulopathy, with consequent haemorrhage[1,6,9,11]
The dog was given 7 m boomslang antivenom slowly intravenously and the bleeding stopped within 45 minutes after administration
Summary
Snakebites in dogs are frequently seen in small animal practice in South Africa[14]. In dogs and humans DIC may result in multiple organ failure, of which the kidneys and lungs are usually the most severely affected[6,7,10,13]. Small dogs are often the most severely affected due to the higher venom to mass ratio[11,13]. This case report describes the clinical signs, treatment and outcome of 2 dogs from the same household in South Africa that were bitten by a boomslang. ADoonside Veterinary Hospital, 1 Leslie Way, Doonside, 4126 South Africa
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