Exam 4: Envenomations: Reptiles, Spiders, and Bugs Flashcards
Most snake bites are from what group of snakes in animals?
companion animals
Crotalidae (pit vipers).
Is coral snake toxin primarily neurotoxic or causing of local tissue pain and damage?
Primarily neurotoxic with little local tissue reaction or pain at the bite site.
Why should a dog potentially bitten by a coral snake be observed over an extended period of time?
the onset of clinical signs may be delayed by 12 hours. so watch for 24 hours.
How would you treat a cat presenting with a known coral snake bite and who is beginning to be symptomatic?
compression bandage around and over the bite site. supportive care.
What are the 3 general types of rattlesnake venom? What do they cause in afflicted animals?
classic diamondback rattlesnake venom (marked tissue destruction, coagulopathy, and hypotension), mojave A rattlesnake venom (Virtually no tissue destruction or coagulation defects but it induces severe neurotoxicosis), Intergrade found in multiple species (Contains both neurotoxins and classic venom components)
Why will pit viper antivenins or vaccines potentially only be active against a sub-set of envenomations?
Pit viper venom is a complex mixture of enzymatic and nonenzymatic proteins and specific to types of venom.
How would you tell if a rattlesnake bite occurred and the potential seriousness in a dog who may have been bitten? What diagnostic tests can be done?
Swelling and pain, usually seek out their human after they’ve been bitten. A non-EDTA blood smear looking for echinocytosis.
What does Gila Monster venom cause? How do you treat a known envenomation?
extreme pain, excessive bleesding and broken off teeth in wond, edema, hypotensions and tachycardia. tachypnea and tachycardia in cats. regional muscle fassiculations.
treat: ory off lizard, hospitalize and monitor, supportive, antibiotics.
What species is especially sensitive to widow bites? How would you treat a known bite in this species?
cats.
Treatment is largely symptomatic:
Opioids to control pain
Diazepam and methocarbamol to control the muscle rigidity
Calcium gluconate, which used to be used for treatment, is no longer recommended due to it being less efficacious than opioids and muscle relaxants.
What is the primary lesion seen after a recluse spider bite? How would you treat it?
“bulls eye” lesion. Debride and pain meds.
Are tarantulas dangerous?
Yes, they can be. Not the ones that are native in the US…
What are the consequences of a scorpion sting? Is it a serious concern in dogs or cats?
Instant sharp pain at site of envenomation, edema and pruritis, regional lymph nodes may enlarge, swollen face, vomiting. Lack of evidence for it being a concern in dogs and cats, can have clinical signs but no fatalities reported yet. On the other hand, 100% fatality in ferrets stung by Bark Scorpions.
What does tick toxin cause? How do you treat it?
Paralysis and eventually death. Remove the tick, supportive care.
What do you primarily need to worry about regarding bee and/or wasp stings?
Anaphylaxis
