What is snake venom poisoning in dogs? A detailed explanation of common poisoning conditions in dogs
[Etiology]
Snake venom poisoning refers to a poisoning phenomenon that occurs after being bitten by a snake. There are many species of venomous snakes, with 47 species in our country, among which the more harmful ones include the banded krait, many-banded krait, cobra, king cobra (large cobra), five-paced pit viper, mamushi, viper, turtle-shell flower snake, green bamboo pit viper and sea snake. Among these venomous snakes, except for the sea snake, which is mainly distributed in coastal areas, most are distributed in the provinces and regions south of the Yangtze River, while north of the Yangtze River there are only a few species such as the mamushi, viper and turtle-shell flower snake.
The occurrence season of snake venom poisoning is related to the patterns of snake activity. In the south, the active period of snakes is generally from April to November, among which they are most active from July to September, so the incidence of snake venom poisoning is highest during this period. Hunting dogs and police dogs, because they enter dense grass and forest areas while performing special tasks, are easily bitten by snakes and develop this disease.
[Key Points of Diagnosis]
The parts of dogs bitten by venomous snakes are more commonly seen on the face, tip of the nose and limbs. The closer the bite site is to the central nervous system and areas rich in blood vessels, the more severe the symptoms. The clinical symptoms often vary depending on the type of snake venom.
First, the venom of the banded krait, many-banded krait and others all belongs to neurotoxin. After the bite, there is little bleeding, and local symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat and pain are mild, but severe systemic symptoms can appear within a few hours after the bite. The sick dog moans in pain, is excited and restless, has generalized muscle tremors, difficulty swallowing, foaming at the mouth, dilated pupils, decreased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, arrhythmia, and finally paralysis of the limbs, unable to rise from the ground, and ultimately dies from suffocation due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Second, the venom of the viper, mamushi, green bamboo pit viper and others mostly belongs to hemotoxin. Local symptoms are obvious, with severe local pain, continuous bleeding, rapid swelling, purplish-black appearance, extreme edema, often necrosis, and the swelling rapidly develops upward. Generally after 6-8 hours it can spread to the entire head and even the neck, or spread to the entire limb and even the back and lumbar region. After the toxin is absorbed, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, oliguria, anuria, renal failure and massive pleural hemorrhage appear, and finally death occurs due to heart failure or shock.
Third, the venom of the cobra and king cobra mostly belongs to mixed toxin. After the bite, local symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, pain and necrosis are obvious. After the toxin is absorbed, the systemic symptoms are severe and complex, including both various neurological symptoms caused by neurotoxin and various clinical manifestations caused by hemotoxin, and finally death occurs due to suffocation or heart failure.
[Treatment]
To prevent the spread of venom, ligate above the wound (in the centripetal direction) immediately after the bite, but the binding should be loosened for 1-2 minutes every 15-20 minutes to avoid necrosis due to ischemia. Immediately flush the bite area thoroughly with clean water or ammonia water, then use a three-edged needle to prick randomly or incise and enlarge the wound to allow the venom to flow out, and check whether there are venom fangs in the wound; if there are venom fangs, they should be removed. Apply Jidesheng snake medicine, Nantong snake medicine to the wound, or take the root of Typhonii gigantei, Paris polyphylla, Hedyotis diffusa, etc., crush them with vinegar and wine, and apply to the affected area. Inject 1% potassium permanganate solution, hydrogen peroxide or pepsin solution at points around the bite area, or use 0.25-0.5% procaine solution for block anesthesia.
To destroy the toxin that has already been absorbed, monovalent or polyvalent antivenom serum can be slowly injected intravenously.
In addition, cold compresses should be applied to the injured area, analgesics should be used, and symptomatic treatment such as prevention of secondary infection should be carried out.