Homeopathic Treatment of snakebite in dog - case report

Abstract

Snakebite accidents are very common nearby forest areas in countryside and farms. The majority of these incidents are caused by snakes of the genus Bothrops sp., which comprises over 45 species distributed in Central and South America. These snakes usually hunt small mammals and lizards at dusk. Snakebites from this genus generally occur in the head, limbs, and neck regions. Bothrops snakes are considered aggressive animals, characterized by inverted “V” markings along their bodies, triangular heads, smooth tails, and length ranging from 0.5m to 2m. They exhibit color variations of brown, green, and gray. Bothrops sp. venom has necrotic, coagulating, vasculotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects, which can cause extensive necrosis at the bite site, tissue loss, and limb dysfunction, sometimes resulting in amputation. The bitten animal may experience prostration, tachypnea, localized edema and pain, petechiae, hemorrhages, and extensive necrotic areas. Hematuria, hypotension, pulmonary edema, and even death, as well as various laboratory abnormalities, may also occur. The case reported herein was attended at a veterinary clinic in Campos Altos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It involved a mixed-breed female dog, 3 years old, weighing 4.5 kg, which had been bitten by a Bothrops sp. snake approximately 90 minutes before. The animal presented edema and pain at the site of the bite (pelvic limb), as well as tachycardia. At once, it was administered intravenous polyvalent antiophidic serum, dexamethasone, serum, furosemide, tramadol (for 3 days), and ceftriaxone antibiotic (for 7 days). Local treatment included corticosteroid and antibiotic ointment dressings. The animal remained stable, but after 24 hours, an extensive area with edema, hematoma, bleeding, and early necrosis at the bite site was observed, worsening with each passing hour. After 48 hours, therapy with Bothrops cH 6 (5 globules every 8 hours) was initiated to reduce local effects (edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis). The animal showed rapid improvement in the appearance of the lesion, and after 5 days of treatment, there was no longer edema or bleeding, only a circumscribed cutaneous injury, which was managed with local dressings (cleaning with saline solution and Bellis Perennis cH 7, Calendula officinalis cH 7, Myristica Sebifera cH 7, ointment ). The animal recovered well without any sequelae.