Therapeutic management of marine toad toxicities with snake bite in a German shepherd dog; a case report

Abstract

Although toad intoxication and snake envenomations are two common toxicities reported in animals, the incidence of having exposed to both the toxic insults simultaneously is unusual and rarely reported. A 6 years old German shepherd dog was presented with a complaint of frothy salivation, vomiting, bloody urination along with the history of both viper snake envenomation and marine toad intoxication. Physical examination revealed ulcers on the tongue epithelium, fang marks on the left forepaw, hyperaemic oral and conjunctival mucus membrane. Clotting time was increased and ventricular tachycardia was evidenced in ECG. Alterations in haemato-biochemical parameters like haemoconcentration, leucocytosis, neutrophilia, increased hepatic and renal enzymes along with hyperkalemia were found. The oral cavity of the dog was lavaged with normal saline and then treated with polyvalent anti-snake venom along with 5% DNS, tetanus toxoid, dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine maleate and enrofloxacin parenterally. Propranolol was also administered to alleviate ventricular arrhythmia. ECG was monitored continuously which was found normal on the second day of treatment. After 7 days of treatment, the symptoms were alleviated with all the parameters within the reference range. Such type of toxicitys should be considered as critical where early recognition and appropriate therapeutic regimen will contribute to the successful recovery of the patient.