A Retrospective Evaluation of Snake Envenomation in Dogs in South Korea (2004–2021)

Abstract

Snake envenomation is a medical emergency capable of causing local and systemic complications. However, information on venomous snakebite in dogs in South Korea is scarce. In this study, fifty-nine dogs treated at a private veterinary clinic from 2004 to 2021 were retrospectively studied. The aim was to characterize the demographics, elapsed time between snakebite and veterinary clinic presentation, laboratory findings, clinical signs, treatments, adverse reactions to antivenom, and prognosis of venomous snakebite. Snakebite was mostly observed between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. from April to October. On the days of envenomation, the weather conditions were mostly cloudy, followed by rain/precipitation, and least frequently fair weather. Grassland was the most common incident location, and leashed dog walking was the most frequent activity when snakebite occurred. The main local symptoms were edema, hemorrhagic discharge, cutaneous erythema, ulceration, and necrosis. Major systemic clinical signs were tachypnea, tachycardia, altered mentation, ptyalism, and hypotension. Based on the time interval between snakebite and presentation at the veterinary clinic, two groups were defined: <4 h (Group 1, 49.2%) and ≥4 h (Group 2, 50.8%). Systemic inflammation was more frequently observed in Group 2. The level of C-reactive protein at presentation (p = 0.036) and the highest-level during hospitalization (p = 0.023) were significantly elevated in Group 2 (≥4 h). The dogs in Group 2 displayed more frequent muscle damage (increased creatine kinase) than the dogs in Group 1, and a higher level of creatine kinase was associated with delayed (≥4 h) presentation after snakebite (p = 0.003). All of the dogs were treated symptomatically, and 34 dogs (58%) received antivenom. Treatment with antivenom showed no adverse reactions in this study. All of the treated dogs recovered. One dog was euthanized without any treatment due to respiratory distress, hypotension, and cost constraints. In conclusion, this study provides baseline information on venomous snakebite in dogs in South Korea. The prognosis was excellent, especially when the dogs were treated within 4 h.

Mechanical ventilation in snake envenomation of dogs and cats

“…No significant complications including AKI, cardiac arrhythmias, SIRS, MODS or hemorrhage were reported in any patient receiving antivenom within 6 h of being bitten by P. porphyriacus ( 4 ). Early administration of antivenom in envenomated patients has been shown to reduce the incidence of complications ( 132 ).…”

Snake envenomation in three cats in South Korea

“…2,3 There are four major species responsible for venomous snakebites in South Korea: Gloydius ussuriensis, Gloydius brevicaudus, Gloydius intermedius and Rhabdophis tigrinus. [1][2][3] Toxins in snake venom can cause coagulotoxicity, myotoxicity and neurotoxicity with various clinical signs, including coagulopathy, muscle pain and altered mentation. 4 Snake envenomation in feline medicine is rarely reported because cats are bitten less frequently than other animals, including dogs, because of their cautiousness.…”

Thromboelastographic evaluation in dogs with Asian pit viper (<i>Gloydius</i>) envenomation

“…It is estimated that 2 million people are bitten by venomous snakes annually, leading to 100,000 fatalities [ 9 , 17 ]. On average, 3,000 people are affected by snake envenomation annually in South Korea, resulting in 5 casualties [ 8 , 17 ]. Gloydius is an Asian pit viper genus that encompasses a wide geographic range, including Japan, Korea, China, and Russia [ 4 ].…”

“…It is generally recognized that Gloydius are characterized by coagulotoxic venoms results from fibrinogenolytic effects upon coagulation [ 4 ]. Among the venomous land snakes indigenous to South Korea, three species, including Gloydius ussuriensis , Gloydius intermedius , Gloydius brevicaudus have been reported as belonging to the Viperidae family [ 7 , 8 , 17 ].…”

“…In South Korea, VICC occurs in around 25% of human victims after Gloydius and Rhabdophis envenomation, but clinical information regarding VICC in veterinary medicine is limited [ 10 ]. Abnormal laboratory findings related to VICC include thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), low fibrinogen, and elevated D-dimer levels [ 8 , 9 ]. These coagulation tests, such as PT and aPTT, are widely used, they have significant limitations.…”