Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart rhythm problems and troponin levels in dogs bitten by Vipera
By Segev, G et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2008·School 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Cardiac arrhythmias and serum cardiac troponins in Vipera palaestinae envenomation in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs that were bitten by a venomous snake called Vipera palaestinae showed signs of heart problems, including irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Blood tests revealed that many of these dogs had elevated levels of cardiac troponins, which indicate heart muscle injury. About 29% of the dogs experienced arrhythmias, and those with higher troponin levels had a greater chance of developing these heart issues. The affected dogs required longer hospital stays for treatment. Monitoring for heart problems is crucial in dogs that have been envenomated by this snake.
People also search for: dog snake bite symptoms · dog heart problems after snake bite · Vipera palaestinae envenomation treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vipera palaestinae is responsible for most poisonous envenomations in people and animals in Israel. Cardiac arrhythmias were reported in a retrospective study of V. palaestinae envenomations in dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Cardiac arrhythmias in V. palaestinae-envenomed dogs are associated with myocardial injury reflected by increased serum concentrations of cardiac troponins (cTns). ANIMALS: Forty-eight client-owned dogs envenomed by V. palaestinae. METHODS: Blood sampling (serum biochemistry and cTns, CBC, and coagulation tests) and electrocardiography were performed periodically up to 72 hours postenvenomation. Cardiac rhythm strips were assessed blindly for the presence and type of arrhythmias. RESULTS: Serum cTn-T and cTn-I concentrations were increased in 25% (n = 12) and 65% (n = 31) of the dogs at least once during hospitalization, respectively. Arrhythmias were identified in 29% (n = 14) of the dogs. Dogs with increased cTn-T had a significantly higher occurrence of arrhythmias (58 versus 19%), and higher resting heart rate upon admission and within the following 24 hours. Dogs with increased serum cTn-T concentrations were hospitalized for a significantly (P= .001) longer period compared to those with normal serum cTn-T concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs envenomed by V. palaestinae appear to sustain some degree of myocardial injury, as reflected by increased serum cTn concentrations and by the occurrence of arrhythmias. The latter should alert clinicians to a potentially ongoing cardiac injury. An increase in cTn-T may be of clinical relevance and indicate a cardiac injury in V. palaestinae envenomations in dogs.
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/18289296/