Haemostatic abnormalities and clinical findings in Vipera palaestinae-envenomed dogs

I. Aroch*, E. Yas-Natan, S. Kuzi, G. Segev

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The venomous viper Vipera palaestinae (Vp) is responsible for most envenomations in humans and animals in Israel. Its venom contains proteases, haemorrhagins, l-amino acid oxidase and phospholipase A2 but its effects on haemostasis have yet to be characterised. This prospective study aimed to characterise haemostatic abnormalities in Vp-envenomed dogs from presentation to discharge or death, and their association with mortality. Samples from 39 Vp-envenomed dogs were collected periodically and examined for haematology, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin activity (ATA), fibrinogen level and D-dimer concentration.All dogs presented with severe local signs and most (79%) had systemic signs. Six dogs (15%) died. Haemostatic abnormalities were present in 37/39 dogs. Increased D-dimer concentrations were detected in 28/31 dogs. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was diagnosed in 10 dogs and in all non-survivors. Platelet and leucocyte counts at presentation, maximum PT and aPTT, and minimum ATA during hospitalisation were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors and were good predictors of the outcome. The results show that hypercoagulability, consumption and derangement of haemostasis are common in Vp-envenomed dogs and are associated with mortality. Haemostasis should be closely monitored in such dogs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)180-187
Number of pages8
JournalVeterinary Journal
Volume185
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2010

Keywords

  • Antithrombin
  • Canine
  • Coagulopathy
  • D-dimer
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • Thrombocytopenia

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