Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of wound infection following crotalidae envenomation in dogs and determine if the use of prophylactic antibiotics is warranted.
DESIGN
Prospective observational study.
SETTING
A 24-hour private practice specialty and emergency center in Murrieta, California.
ANIMALS
One hundred and two dogs with acute rattlesnake envenomation.
INTERVENTIONS
One hundred and forty-three consecutive cases of suspected acute rattlesnake envenomation were evaluated between March of 2012 and May of 2013. One hundred and two cases received no antimicrobials as part of management. Eight cases were placed on prophylactic antimicrobials by the primary care veterinarian prior to referral and were excluded. Two cases were excluded because they were initiated on antimicrobials during hospitalization for reasons unrelated to snakebite. Three cases involved cats and were excluded. Three patients died acutely near the time of presentation and were excluded. Twenty-one cases of suspected envenomation were excluded for lack of strong evidence of snakebite. Four cases were lost to follow-up and were excluded. Follow-up was conducted within 2 weeks either by phone or by direct inspection of the wound.
RESULTS
Of the 102 patients included in the study only 1 infection developed. This patient developed an abscess subsequent to suspected compartment syndrome.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of wound infection in rattlesnake envenomation is low, and the use of prophylactic antimicrobials is not recommended. The use of antimicrobials should be reserved for wounds with necrosis or abscess and the choice of antimicrobial should be based on a culture and sensitivity of the wound.
TY - JOUR
T1 - Prospective evaluation of the incidence of wound infection in rattlesnake envenomation in dogs.
AU - Carr,Amy,
AU - Schultz,Jennifer,
Y1 - 2015/06/25/
PY - 2013/09/23/received
PY - 2015/05/05/accepted
PY - 2015/6/27/entrez
PY - 2015/6/27/pubmed
PY - 2016/2/10/medline
KW - compartment syndrome
KW - echinocytes
KW - snakebite
KW - venom-induced coagulopathy
SP - 546
EP - 51
JF - Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
JO - J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio)
VL - 25
IS - 4
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of wound infection following crotalidae envenomation in dogs and determine if the use of prophylactic antibiotics is warranted. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A 24-hour private practice specialty and emergency center in Murrieta, California. ANIMALS: One hundred and two dogs with acute rattlesnake envenomation. INTERVENTIONS: One hundred and forty-three consecutive cases of suspected acute rattlesnake envenomation were evaluated between March of 2012 and May of 2013. One hundred and two cases received no antimicrobials as part of management. Eight cases were placed on prophylactic antimicrobials by the primary care veterinarian prior to referral and were excluded. Two cases were excluded because they were initiated on antimicrobials during hospitalization for reasons unrelated to snakebite. Three cases involved cats and were excluded. Three patients died acutely near the time of presentation and were excluded. Twenty-one cases of suspected envenomation were excluded for lack of strong evidence of snakebite. Four cases were lost to follow-up and were excluded. Follow-up was conducted within 2 weeks either by phone or by direct inspection of the wound. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients included in the study only 1 infection developed. This patient developed an abscess subsequent to suspected compartment syndrome. CONCLUSION: The incidence of wound infection in rattlesnake envenomation is low, and the use of prophylactic antimicrobials is not recommended. The use of antimicrobials should be reserved for wounds with necrosis or abscess and the choice of antimicrobial should be based on a culture and sensitivity of the wound.
SN - 1476-4431
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/26112434/Prospective_evaluation_of_the_incidence_of_wound_infection_in_rattlesnake_envenomation_in_dogs_
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
