Restablecimiento de un canino tras mordedura de serpiente "yarará" (Bothrops sp.) en Corrientes, Argentina

Abstract

Symptoms and lesions observed in a dog bitten by a venomous snake (Bothrops sp., "yarará") in a rural area of Corrientes, Argentina, are described. The venom of this viper contains proteases and phospholipases that induce local damage (hemorrhage, edema, necrosis) as well as systemic hemorrhage due to hemorrhagines and metalloproteinases (damage of capillary walls), worsened due to the incoagulability generated by thrombinlike enzymes that consume fibrinogen. Bleeding from two adjacent holes in a cheek which was aching, hot and edematous were the local symptoms. No systemic hemorrhage signs were observed. Bothropic bivalent antivenom and dexametasone, together with fluids were administered. The activated clotting time remained prolonged for 6 h, being normalized 8 h after the administration of the antivenom. It can be concluded that the early administration of the antivenom together with the fact that the patient was a healthy dog, were crucial for the favorable outcome.