Clinical, hematobiochemical, and pathological findings and therapeutic management of viperine snake envenomation in zebu cattle

Epidemiological, clinical and hematobiochemical studies on hemotoxic snakebite in bovines

Snakebite is a conflict between venomous snakes and humans as well as livestock and considered as neglected tropical disease. The present study aimed to investigate the hospital prevalence, clinical and hemato-biochemical aspects of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines. The overall hospital prevalence of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines was found to be 0.93%. Highest prevalence of hemotoxic snakebite in bovines was observed in August month during monsoon season in female bovines with higher cases in buffaloes. The highest occurrence was reported in native Marathwadi buffalo, non-descript and Deoni cattle of > 4 years and 1-4 years age group in forelimbs and hindlimbs during morning and evening hours. Ascending swelling over limbs extending upward and lameness in case of bite on limbs while asymmetrical swelling in case of bite over face, occasional signs of bleeding like melena, hematuria, epistaxis and bleeding from the site of bite were the prominent clinical signs observed in hemotoxic snakebite affected bovines. Highly significant increase in heart rate and respiration rate, while decrease in rumen motility was observed in snakebite affected bovines. Hemato-biochemial analysis showed highly significant increase in leukocyte count, erythrocyte count and PCV, significant increase in granulocyte and monocyte count, highly significant decrease in platelet count while increase in capillary blood clotting time, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase levels compared to healthy bovines.

What is the impact of snakebite envenoming on domestic animals? A nation-wide community-based study in Nepal and Cameroon

Snakebite envenoming is a life-threatening disease in humans and animals and a major public health issue in rural communities of South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Yet the impact of snakebite on domestic animals has been poorly studied. This study aimed to describe the context, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of snakebite envenoming in domestic animals in Nepal and Cameroon. Primary data on snakebite in animals were recorded from a community-based nation-wide survey on human and animal snakebite in Nepal and Cameroon (Snake-byte project). Mobile teams collected data on snakebite in humans and animals in 13,879 and 10,798 households in Nepal and Cameroon respectively from December 2018 to June 2019. This study included 405 snakebite cases (73 in Nepal and 332 in Cameroon) in multiple types of animals. An interview with a structured questionnaire collected specific information about the animal victims. Snake bites in animals took place predominantly inside and around the house or farm in Nepal (92%) and Cameroon (71%). Other frequent locations in Cameroon were field or pasture (12%). A large diversity of clinical features was reported in all types of envenomed animals. They showed either a few clinical signs (e.g., local swelling, bleeding) or a combination of multiple clinical signs. Only 9% of animal victims, mainly cattle and buffaloes and less frequently goats, sheep, and dogs, received treatment, predominantly with traditional medicine. The overall mortality of snakebite was 85% in Nepal and 87% in Cameroon. Results from this nationwide study show an important impact of snakebite on animal health in Nepal and Cameroon. There is a need for cost-effective prevention control strategies and affordable snakebite therapies in the veterinary field to save animal lives and farmer livelihood in the poorest countries of the world. The WHO global strategy to prevent and control snakebite envenoming supports a One Health approach, which may help develop integrated solutions to the snakebite problem taking into account human and animal health.