Received: January 20, 2005, Accepted: July 20, 2005, Published online: February 24, 2006.

CLINICAL AND CARDIOVASCULAR ALTERATIONS PRODUCED BY SCORPION ENVENOMATION IN DOGS

CORDEIRO F. F. (1), SAKATE M. (1), FERNANDES V. (2), CUYUMJIAN P. R. (3)

(1) Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; (2) Clinical Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; (3) Veterinary Diagnostic, São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Scorpionism is a common problem that occurs in tropical and subtropical countries and assumes great medical-sanitary importance due to its fatal effect on sensitive individuals, being able to lead children and aged people to death. The envenomation lethal potential is responsible for the serious cardiopulmonary alterations the scorpion toxin produces in its victims. The present research evaluated the effects of Tityus serrulatus venom on dogs, using two distinct doses: a dose that simulates natural envenomation (0.4 mg/total dose), and an experimental dose (0.25 mg/kg). General clinical signs were observed at different moments after envenomation, and specific data related to the cardiopulmonary system were evaluated by systemic arterial pressure measurement, CK-MB enzymatic activity dosage, and radiographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations. Results demonstrated that the scorpion venom, in experimental doses, was able to cause acute and reversible cardiac injury in few days, and, in the dose that simulated natural accident, it produced clinical signs of light envenomation, such as local pain, hyperesthesia, sialorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, sneeze and prostration.

KEY WORDS: scorpion, dogs, cardiopulmonary alterations, Tityus serrulatus.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

FERNANDA F. CORDEIRO, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, s/n, 18.618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Email: fercord@uol.com.br