Difference between revisions of "Adder Bites"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | The adder, also known as the viper, is native to many parts of the UK, where it is the only | + | The adder, also known as the viper, is native to many parts of the UK, where it is the only poisonous snake living in the wild <ref name="multiples"> '''http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bites-snake/Pages/Introduction.aspx'''accessed on 10.11.2010 </ref>. Adder bites are most frequent between february and october. The habitat of the common european adder (Vipera Berus) extends throughout England, Wales, Scotland and some islands off the coast of Scotland, and the isle of Wight <ref> '''Treatment of bites by adders and exotic venomous snake''',Warrell DA,''BMJ'' 2005;331:1244 doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1244(Published 12 november 2005) </ref>. <ref name="multiples"> '''http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bites-snake/Pages/Introduction.aspx'''accessed on 10.11.2010 </ref>. Adder bites can be accommpanied by the injection of venom <ref name="multiples"> '''http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bites-snake/Pages/Introduction.aspx'''accessed on 10.11.2010 </ref>, by one of the most sophisticated of mechanisms seen in the animal kingdom <ref> '''http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/adder''', accessed on 10.11.2010 </ref>, or they can be venom-less in which case the damaged caused to the victim is limited to the puncture wounds <ref name="multiples"> '''http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bites-snake/Pages/Introduction.aspx'''accessed on 10.11.2010 </ref>. The mortality rate in dogs that have received venomous bites is thought to be 3.5% to 4% <ref name="multiples"> '''Clinical and biochemical changes in 53 Swedish dogs bitten by the European adder - ''Viper berus'' ''', Lervik et al, Acta Vet Scand. 2010; 52(1):26, accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873270/?tool=pubmed#B1 on 08.12.10 </ref>. |
==Signalment== | ==Signalment== | ||
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
===Clinical Signs=== | ===Clinical Signs=== | ||
| − | * | + | *swelling at puncture site |
| − | * | + | *altered mentation |
| − | * | + | *cardiac abnormalities |
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===Laboratory Tests=== | ===Laboratory Tests=== | ||
*'''Biochemistry:''' Transient elevations in one or more of the following parameters may be seen; Alanine Aminotransferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Bile Acids, Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Creatinine Kinase <ref name="multiples"> '''Clinical and biochemical changes in 53 Swedish dogs bitten by the European adder - ''Viper berus'' ''', Lervik et al, Acta Vet Scand. 2010; 52(1):26, accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873270/?tool=pubmed#B1 on 08.12.10 </ref>. | *'''Biochemistry:''' Transient elevations in one or more of the following parameters may be seen; Alanine Aminotransferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Bile Acids, Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Creatinine Kinase <ref name="multiples"> '''Clinical and biochemical changes in 53 Swedish dogs bitten by the European adder - ''Viper berus'' ''', Lervik et al, Acta Vet Scand. 2010; 52(1):26, accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873270/?tool=pubmed#B1 on 08.12.10 </ref>. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
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Revision as of 23:42, 8 December 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
Introduction
The adder, also known as the viper, is native to many parts of the UK, where it is the only poisonous snake living in the wild [1]. Adder bites are most frequent between february and october. The habitat of the common european adder (Vipera Berus) extends throughout England, Wales, Scotland and some islands off the coast of Scotland, and the isle of Wight [2]. [1]. Adder bites can be accommpanied by the injection of venom [1], by one of the most sophisticated of mechanisms seen in the animal kingdom [3], or they can be venom-less in which case the damaged caused to the victim is limited to the puncture wounds [1]. The mortality rate in dogs that have received venomous bites is thought to be 3.5% to 4% [1].
Signalment
Adder bites have been reported in dogs, cats and horses [4].
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
- swelling at puncture site
- altered mentation
- cardiac abnormalities
Laboratory Tests
- Biochemistry: Transient elevations in one or more of the following parameters may be seen; Alanine Aminotransferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Bile Acids, Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Creatinine Kinase [1].
Pathology
Treatment
- Antiserum:
- Supportive Treatment'
- Fluid Therapy:
- Analgesia
- Anti-inflammatories
- Anti-biotics
Prognosis
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bites-snake/Pages/Introduction.aspxaccessed on 10.11.2010 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "multiples" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "multiples" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Treatment of bites by adders and exotic venomous snake,Warrell DA,BMJ 2005;331:1244 doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1244(Published 12 november 2005)
- ↑ http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/adder, accessed on 10.11.2010
- ↑ http://www.fabcats.org/owners/poisons/Cats%20and%20poisons.html, accessed on 10.11.2010