MANAGEMENT OF A CASE OF VENOMOUS SNAKEBITE IN A CAPTIVE THOMPSON’S GAZELLE (Eudorcas Thomsonii)

Bolaji-Alabi, Foluso Bolawaye; Ogunro, Bamidele Nyemike; Akinniyi, Olumide Odunayo; Adebiyi, Taiwo Kemi; Banwo, Olamilekan Gabriel; Olatunji-Akioye, Adenike

doi:10.21608/svu.2023.238341.1297

	MANAGEMENT OF A CASE OF VENOMOUS SNAKEBITE IN A CAPTIVE THOMPSON’S GAZELLE (Eudorcas Thomsonii)
SVU-International Journal of Veterinary Sciences
Volume 6, Issue 4 - Serial Number 18, December 2023, Page 112-120 PDF (524.57 K)
Document Type: Case Report
DOI: 10.21608/svu.2023.238341.1297
View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Foluso Bolawaye Bolaji-Alabi¹; Bamidele Nyemike Ogunro²; Olumide Odunayo Akinniyi ³; Taiwo Kemi Adebiyi²; Olamilekan Gabriel Banwo³; Adenike Olatunji-Akioye¹
¹Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
²Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
³Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is an acute, life-threatening disease that affects humans and animals, including wild ones. Given the dearth of information on snakebites in Thompson’s gazelles as well as in zoo animals, the present paper describes the successful management of a case of snakebite in a Thompson’s gazelle in the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The recently acquired Thompson’s Gazella was suddenly found with a swollen face and bleeding from a spot on the face. A cobra was sighted close to the animal’s enclosure. Blood sample was obtained for haematology and serum chemistry; however, serum chemistry was not analysed because there was severe haemolysis. Haematological blood picture revealed poikilocytosis marked by severe schistocytosis, thrombocytopaenia, and low packed cell volume. Polyvalent snake venom antiserum was promptly administered. Dexamethasone, diclofenac sodium, long-acting amoxicillin, and tetanus toxoid injections were also given. The bite site was properly cleaned after sedation with a 2% xylazine injection, and the animal was monitored for two weeks. All clinical signs subsided, the haematological profile returned to normal, and the patient survived; however, there was necrosis of the skin at the snake bite site. Prompt administration of snake antivenom saved the life of the animal, which is of conservation importance. The feral snake population in ex situ wildlife conservation environments needs to be controlled.
Keywords
Envenomation; Hematology; Snake antiserum; Thompson’ gazelle


Statistics Article View: 48 PDF Download: 63