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Clinical findings associated with prairie rattlesnake bites in dogs: 100 cases (1989-1998).
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jun 01; 220(11):1675-80.JA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinically relevant variables and treatments for dogs bitten by prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis).

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

ANIMALS

100 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURE

Records of dogs evaluated for rattlesnake envenomation from 1989 to 1998 were reviewed. Analysis was performed to test for significant associations among clinical variables or treatments and cell counts, costs, and duration of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Most prairie rattlesnake bites occurred between May and September. Dogs were 3 months to 12 years old (median, 3.7 years); most were bitten on the head in the late afternoon. There was no sex predilection. Median time to evaluation was 1 hour (range, 15 minutes to 13 hours). Swelling in the area of the bite was the primary physical abnormality. Principal initial laboratory findings were echinocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and prolonged activated clotting time. Ninety-four dogs were hospitalized; 48 were discharged the following day. Antimicrobials and crystalloid fluids, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, and antivenin administered i.v. were the most commonly used treatments. One dog died, and small dogs were hospitalized longer than large dogs. Antivenin administration was not significantly associated with duration of hospitalization but was associated with higher platelet counts after treatment and higher total hospital costs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Prairie rattlesnake envenomation in dogs is associated with high morbidity rate but low mortality rate. The efficacy of administration of antivenin for dogs with bites from this snake species is questionable.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Hackett TB
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Wingfield WE
No affiliation info available
Mazzaferro EM
No affiliation info available
Benedetti JS
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Age DistributionAnimalsAntiveninsCrotalid VenomsCrotalusDog DiseasesDogsFemaleHospitalizationLength of StayMaleMorbidityRetrospective StudiesSeasonsSnake BitesTime Factors

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

12051509

Citation

Hackett, Tim B., et al. "Clinical Findings Associated With Prairie Rattlesnake Bites in Dogs: 100 Cases (1989-1998)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 220, no. 11, 2002, pp. 1675-80.
Hackett TB, Wingfield WE, Mazzaferro EM, et al. Clinical findings associated with prairie rattlesnake bites in dogs: 100 cases (1989-1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220(11):1675-80.
Hackett, T. B., Wingfield, W. E., Mazzaferro, E. M., & Benedetti, J. S. (2002). Clinical findings associated with prairie rattlesnake bites in dogs: 100 cases (1989-1998). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220(11), 1675-80.
Hackett TB, et al. Clinical Findings Associated With Prairie Rattlesnake Bites in Dogs: 100 Cases (1989-1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jun 1;220(11):1675-80. PubMed PMID: 12051509.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Clinical findings associated with prairie rattlesnake bites in dogs: 100 cases (1989-1998). AU - Hackett,Tim B, AU - Wingfield,Wayne E, AU - Mazzaferro,Elisa M, AU - Benedetti,Joanna S, PY - 2002/6/8/pubmed PY - 2002/9/14/medline PY - 2002/6/8/entrez SP - 1675 EP - 80 JF - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association JO - J Am Vet Med Assoc VL - 220 IS - 11 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To identify clinically relevant variables and treatments for dogs bitten by prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 100 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURE: Records of dogs evaluated for rattlesnake envenomation from 1989 to 1998 were reviewed. Analysis was performed to test for significant associations among clinical variables or treatments and cell counts, costs, and duration of hospitalization. RESULTS: Most prairie rattlesnake bites occurred between May and September. Dogs were 3 months to 12 years old (median, 3.7 years); most were bitten on the head in the late afternoon. There was no sex predilection. Median time to evaluation was 1 hour (range, 15 minutes to 13 hours). Swelling in the area of the bite was the primary physical abnormality. Principal initial laboratory findings were echinocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and prolonged activated clotting time. Ninety-four dogs were hospitalized; 48 were discharged the following day. Antimicrobials and crystalloid fluids, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, and antivenin administered i.v. were the most commonly used treatments. One dog died, and small dogs were hospitalized longer than large dogs. Antivenin administration was not significantly associated with duration of hospitalization but was associated with higher platelet counts after treatment and higher total hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prairie rattlesnake envenomation in dogs is associated with high morbidity rate but low mortality rate. The efficacy of administration of antivenin for dogs with bites from this snake species is questionable. SN - 0003-1488 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/12051509/Clinical_findings_associated_with_prairie_rattlesnake_bites_in_dogs:_100_cases__1989_1998__ L2 - https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/10.2460/javma.2002.220.1675 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -