Clinical and pathological observations associated with snake envenomation in two sheep / Clinical and pathological observations associated with snake envenomation in two sheep

ABSTRACT

Background: Snake attacks on sheep, horses, cattle and, most frequently, dogs, have previously been described but few of these cases involve highly lethal poison, especially with farm animals. In Brazil, most attacks on humans involving poisonous snakes are related to the genus Bothrops sp. Information about snakebites in sheep is usually obtained from experiments. There are few reports of natural cases and their clinical and pathological characteristics. The aim of the present study was to report the clinical and pathological characteristics of two spontaneous cases of snake envenomation in sheep. Case Two sheep were sent to the UFSM Veterinary Hospital after being found in the lateral decubitus position by their owner. The two sheep came from a farm located near the University. The animals were subjected to a thorough clinical examination. Blood was collected from one animal for a hemogram and biochemical tests. The animals died about two hours after their arrival at the veterinary hospital. During the necropsy, the fi rst ewe exhibited severe dyspnea, swelling of the submandibular and periorbital regions, and unilateral nasal serosanguineous secretion. The second animal exhibited nasal and ocular bilateral bleeding, hematoma and intense gingival bleeding. The left eye was completely obliterated. In the blood and serum analysis, this animal exhibited a low content of plasma

RESUMO

Background: Snake attacks on sheep, horses, cattle and, most frequently, dogs, have previously been described but few of these cases involve highly lethal poison, especially with farm animals. In Brazil, most attacks on humans involving poisonous snakes are related to the genus Bothrops sp. Information about snakebites in sheep is usually obtained from experiments. There are few reports of natural cases and their clinical and pathological characteristics. The aim of the present study was to report the clinical and pathological characteristics of two spontaneous cases of snake envenomation in sheep. Case Two sheep were sent to the UFSM Veterinary Hospital after being found in the lateral decubitus position by their owner. The two sheep came from a farm located near the University. The animals were subjected to a thorough clinical examination. Blood was collected from one animal for a hemogram and biochemical tests. The animals died about two hours after their arrival at the veterinary hospital. During the necropsy, the fi rst ewe exhibited severe dyspnea, swelling of the submandibular and periorbital regions, and unilateral nasal serosanguineous secretion. The second animal exhibited nasal and ocular bilateral bleeding, hematoma and intense gingival bleeding. The left eye was completely obliterated. In the blood and serum analysis, this animal exhibited a low content of plasma