L A V A Large Animal Veterinary Associates 6195901991

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L A V ALarge Animal Veterinary
Associates619-590-1991

• Dr. Larry Catt
• Dr. Larry Martin
• Dr. Joleen Elston

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Rattlesnake bites most commonly occur on the face
(nose) or lower limbs. Prognosis for complete
recovery is very good.
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Toxicity

• Most species of rattlesnakes have hemotoxic
  venom, destroying tissue, and inhibiting proper
  blood coagulation resulting in tissue necrosis
  and sloughing

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• Recognizing a Rattlesnake bite
• Pain, Swelling, Salivation
• Acute face rubbing or leg irritation
• Bleeding
• Rapid Swelling within 30-90 minutes
• Environment with Rattlesnakes
• Fever /-
• Loss of Appetite

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What to do

• Horse should remain calm
• Get Veterinary attention ASAP
• Begin Analgesics Banamine or Bute
• Begin Dexamethasone if you have it
• Begin Antibiotics if you have it

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What NOT to do

• Do not apply ice
• Do not attempt to cut wound open to drain venom
• Do not use tourniquets
• Do not attempt to put a tube in the horses nose

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Treatment Therapy

• Analgesics including Banamine, or Bute
• Corticosteroids including Solu Delta Cortef and
  Dexamethasone
• Antibiotics broad spectrum to prevent secondary
  infections
• IV Fluids to maintain proper circulation
  (hydration), maintaining kidney function and to
  prevent organ shutdown

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Treatment Therapy Cont

• Usually the IV catheter will remain in the horse
  for 5-7 days
• The catheter can then provide easy treatment for
  owners administrating IV steroids, Banamine,
  Antibiotics, and Fluid therapy
• Diets are selected to facilitate appetite and
  easy digestion

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What to expect

• Swelling will usually plateau within 12-24 hours
• Most horses with begin eating within 12-36 hours
• Swelling will usually begin decreasing within
  48-72 hours and the face will begin looking
  normal within a week.
• Possible sloughing of tissue around the bite site

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Leg Bites

• Much less common than nose bites
• Severely damaging to tissue
• Treatment plan similar to nose bites i.e.
  Steroids, Analgesics, Antibiotics and IV Fluids
  /-
• Topical wound care including daily bandage
  changes and general wound management
• Usually result in severe scarring and circulatory
  compromise with chronic leg swelling

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Extreme Cases

• Toxemia with secondary Shock
• Shock secondary to immune mediated disease
  processes
• Air way collapse requiring a tracheotomy
• DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation)
• Severe secondary infections e.g. Clostridial
  organisms

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