Clinical, haemato-biochemical and therapeutic aspects of viperine snakebite in a mare

Venomous snakebites due to various poisonous snakes in equines are seldom reported. The present report describes the case of viperine snakebite in a mare. A 2.5-year-old mare was admitted to clinics with history of swelling over right forelimb, bleeding from limb, anorexia and lameness. Clinical examination of bitten mare showed ascending swelling in right forelimb, lameness, bleeding point and fang mark at the site of bite. Vital parameters showed normal body temperature with tachycardia and tachypnoea. Haematological examination revealed granulocytic leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and prolonged capillary blood clotting time. Biochemical analysis of blood showed elevated values of BUN, creatinine, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase. The case was diagnosed based on history, clinical signs and haemato-biochemical findings. Treatment with polyvalent anti-snake venom and supportive therapy comprising of fluids, corticosteroid, diuretic, antibiotic, styptic and vitamin B complex for 5 days showed uneventful recovery with restoration of haematological and biochemical parameters.