Management of Eastern Brown and Tiger Snake Envenomation in Domestic Animals in South Australia

Aims: The aims of this study were to examine the key important clinical features in domestic animals (e.g. dogs and cats) accompanying envenomation by eastern brown or tiger snakes in South Australia, to establish whether routine use of snake venom detection kits (SVDKs) is a useful diagnostic approach for identifying offending snake species and help to improve animal’s condition and survival.

Methodology: Clinical records from 155 dogs and cats, with suspected or confirmed snake envenomation were collected from two veterinary practices in South Australia. Chi-square analysis was used to compare patient outcome with diagnostic method, and descriptive analysis were undertaken to compare features between the envenomation cases.

Results: Brown snakes were responsible for 97% of cases, with the remaining 3% due to tiger snakes. The most common presenting signs were recumbency and hind limb paresis. Patients were 20% less likely to survive when diagnosis of the offending snake species was made by means other than the use of a SVDK. An inconclusive result occurred approximately 14% of the time when using a SVDK. The overall survival rate for cases that were treated was 81% in dogs and 92% in cats.

Conclusion: Species-specific snake diagnosis using a SVDK will lead to improved patient outcome, however care is required when performing and interpreting the test due to a high proportion of contradictory results obtained.