Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart rhythm problems and troponin levels in dogs bitten by European
By Harjen, Hannah J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2020·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Ambulatory electrocardiography and serum cardiac troponin I measurement in 21 dogs envenomated by the European adder (Vipera berus).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 21 dogs that were bitten by a European adder (Vipera berus) showed signs of heart problems within 48 hours after the snakebite. About 57% of these dogs developed serious irregular heartbeats, known as ventricular arrhythmias, and many had elevated levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), which indicates heart muscle injury. Fortunately, all the dogs survived, but the study suggests that close monitoring of their heart function is important, especially if cTnI levels are high. Treatment involved careful observation and management of any arrhythmias that developed.
People also search for: dog snakebite symptoms · European adder bite treatment · dog heart problems after snakebite
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Envenomation by the European adder (Vipera berus) is common in dogs in Europe. Cardiac arrhythmias occur but clinical studies of envenomated dogs are limited. OBJECTIVES: To describe arrhythmias in dogs within 48 hours of envenomation, and investigate associations between arrhythmia grade, serum troponin I (cTnI), and snakebite severity score (SS score). ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned dogs bitten by V berus. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of envenomated dogs. Ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded from presentation to 48 hours after snakebite, and arrhythmias graded 0 to 3 based on frequency and severity. Serum cTnI was measured at presentation, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, and 14 days after bite. An SS score of 1 to 3 was recorded at admission and based on clinical examination. RESULTS: All dogs survived. Twelve dogs (57%) developed arrhythmias, all of which were ventricular in origin. Severe complex ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) were observed in 6 dogs (29%). Eighty-one percent of dogs (n = 17) had increased cTnI concentrations at 1 or more time points. Dogs that developed arrhythmias had significantly higher concentrations of cTnI at 12 hours (1.67 [0.04-32.68] versus 0.03 [0.01-0.052]; P = .002), 24 hours (1.88 [0.2-14.23] versus 0.06 [0.01-2.06]; P = .009), and 36 hours (3.7 [0.02-16.62] versus 0.06 [0.01-1.33]; P = .006) after bite compared to those that did not. Contingency table analysis showed that SS score was not significantly associated with arrhythmia grade (P = .9). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Myocardial cell injury, reflected by increased cTnI concentrations and VAs, is common after V berus envenomation in dogs. Prolonged electrocardiography monitoring is advised, particularly where cTnI is increased.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32557821/