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Rattlesnake Envenomation
Rattlesnake Envenomation
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11. What other differential diagnoses should be considered for recurrent abscesses? Although cysts, granulomas, hematomas, and seromas are common mass lesions, neoplasia can result in a rapidly developing mass that may outgrow its blood supply. If this happens, the lesion may become necrotic and infected. Biopsy should be considered in any mass that fails to resolve quickly after surgical debridement and drainage. BIBLIOGRAPHY I. Eidson M, Thilsted JP, Rollag OJ: Clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of plague in cats: 119 cases. J Am Vet Med Assoc 199: 1191-1197, 1989. 2. Kirpensteijn J, Fingland RB: Cutaneous actinomycosis and nocardiosis in dogs: 48 cases (1980-1990). Am Vet Med Assoc 201:917-920,1991. 3. McCaw D: Lumps, bumps, masses, and lymphadenopathy. In: Ettinger SJ, Fedrnan EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 4th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1995, pp 219-223. 4. Rosser EJ, Dunstan RW: Sporotichosis. In Greene CE (ed): Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1990, pp 707-710.
33. RATTLESNAKE ENVENOMATION Tim Hackett, D.V.M., M.S .. and Wayne E. Wingfield, D.V.M .. M.S. 1. What groups of poisonous snakes cause the most problems for domestic animals in the United States? There are three groups of poisonous snakes in the United States: Pit vipers. Pit vipers are the largest group and include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins. Pit vipers have thermoreceptor organs ("pits") between the eye and nostril, triangularshaped heads, and retractable fangs. Elapids. Elapids include coral snakes. They are brightly colored and have fixed fangs. The coloring of coral snakes differentiates them from the similar but harmless king snake: • Red on yellow, kill a fellow (coral snake) • Red on black. venom lack (king snake) Colubrids. Colubrids include the Sonoran lyre snake, vine snake, and night snake. They have fixed fangs and are of minor importance. 2. What first aid should be rendered in the field after a rattlesnake bite? Rescuers should be careful not to get bitten. The best treatment for rattlesnake envenomation is to take the animal to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Tourniquets, suction devices, and local application of electrical current have been reported for early management of rattlesnake envenomation. These interventions may delay transport, and none has proved efficacious. 3. What are the common clinical signs associated with pit viper attack? "Snakebite" can be difficult to diagnose. In general, pit viper envenomation produces a local reaction. Look for fang marks, rapid swelling, edema, and pain at the site. Other symptoms may include erythema, petechia, ecchymosis, and tissue necrosis. Clinical signs of systemic illness include vomiting, respiratory distress, tachycardia or arrhythmia, hypotension, bleeding disorders, nystagmus, and fever.
4. Once the animal arrives at the hospital, how can you determine whether the animal was envenomated by a rattlesnake? Owners may present their animals after coming in close contact with a rattlesnake, unsure whether the animal was bitten. If envenomation has occurred, the affected areas usually develop
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11. What other differential diagnoses should be considered for recurrent abscesses? Although cysts, granulomas, hematomas, and seromas are common mass lesions, neoplasia can result in a rapidly developing mass that may outgrow its blood supply. If this happens, the lesion may become necrotic and infected. Biopsy should be considered in any mass that fails to resolve quickly after surgical debridement and drainage. BIBLIOGRAPHY I. Eidson M, Thilsted JP, Rollag OJ: Clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of plague in cats: 119 cases. J Am Vet Med Assoc 199: 1191-1197, 1989. 2. Kirpensteijn J, Fingland RB: Cutaneous actinomycosis and nocardiosis in dogs: 48 cases (1980-1990). Am Vet Med Assoc 201:917-920,1991. 3. McCaw D: Lumps, bumps, masses, and lymphadenopathy. In: Ettinger SJ, Fedrnan EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 4th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1995, pp 219-223. 4. Rosser EJ, Dunstan RW: Sporotichosis. In Greene CE (ed): Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1990, pp 707-710.
33. RATTLESNAKE ENVENOMATION Tim Hackett, D.V.M., M.S .. and Wayne E. Wingfield, D.V.M .. M.S. 1. What groups of poisonous snakes cause the most problems for domestic animals in the United States? There are three groups of poisonous snakes in the United States: Pit vipers. Pit vipers are the largest group and include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins. Pit vipers have thermoreceptor organs ("pits") between the eye and nostril, triangularshaped heads, and retractable fangs. Elapids. Elapids include coral snakes. They are brightly colored and have fixed fangs. The coloring of coral snakes differentiates them from the similar but harmless king snake: • Red on yellow, kill a fellow (coral snake) • Red on black. venom lack (king snake) Colubrids. Colubrids include the Sonoran lyre snake, vine snake, and night snake. They have fixed fangs and are of minor importance. 2. What first aid should be rendered in the field after a rattlesnake bite? Rescuers should be careful not to get bitten. The best treatment for rattlesnake envenomation is to take the animal to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Tourniquets, suction devices, and local application of electrical current have been reported for early management of rattlesnake envenomation. These interventions may delay transport, and none has proved efficacious. 3. What are the common clinical signs associated with pit viper attack? "Snakebite" can be difficult to diagnose. In general, pit viper envenomation produces a local reaction. Look for fang marks, rapid swelling, edema, and pain at the site. Other symptoms may include erythema, petechia, ecchymosis, and tissue necrosis. Clinical signs of systemic illness include vomiting, respiratory distress, tachycardia or arrhythmia, hypotension, bleeding disorders, nystagmus, and fever.
4. Once the animal arrives at the hospital, how can you determine whether the animal was envenomated by a rattlesnake? Owners may present their animals after coming in close contact with a rattlesnake, unsure whether the animal was bitten. If envenomation has occurred, the affected areas usually develop