Received: February 28, 2003.  Accepted: February 28, 2003.  Published online: June 5, 2004.

MANAGEMENT OF VENOMOUS SNAKEBITES IN DOGS AND CATS IN BRAZIL

FERREIRA JÚNIOR R.S.1; BARRAVIERA B.1,2

1.Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; 2. Department of Tropical Medicine and Imaging Diagnosis, Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT. Snake envenoming is a major problem both to veterinary and human medicine in tropical countries due to high incidence, severity, and sequelae. In Brazil, most envenomings involving animals are caused by Bothrops and Crotalus snakes; these are the highest risk to animals. This study reports on Bothrops and Crotalusenvenomings in dogs, the main species responsible for epidemiology, pathogenesis, venom action, clinical signs, sequelae and complications, clinical pathology, necropsy findings, diagnosis, and treatment. Veterinarians must be capable of identifying the snake not only by observing its characteristics but also symptom evolution.

KEY WORDS: snakes, Bothops, Crotalus, dog.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

R. S. Ferreira Júnior - CEVAP, UNESP, Caixa Postal 577, 18618-000, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil.

E-mail: rseabra@cevap.org.br