Clinical Features Therapy and Epidemiology of Tiger Snake Bite in Dogs and Cats

Snake bite was diagnosed in 125 dogs and 115 cats over 10 years. Young sporting dogs and young cats were mainly affected. More dogs (48%) were seen in contact with tiger snakes than cats (7%). One hundred and four (84%) dogs and 89 (76%) cats were bitten in the warmer months of the year (October to March). As the incidence rose in September/October, dogs were bitten on days when the temperature was near 20 degrees C or over. The commonest presenting signs were dilated pupils and absences of pupillary light reflex. Dyspnoea, hypothermia, hindleg ataxia and glycosuria were common features in cats. Vomiting, tachypnoea, hyperthermia and complete flaccid paralysis were often seen in dogs. The overall recovery rate after administering antivenene was 90% for cats and 83% for dogs. Death from anaphylaxis as a result of giving antivenene occurred in 3 cats and one dog. Dogs treated soon after being bitten recovered more rapidly. There was no correlation between the bite-to-treatment period and the treatment-to-recovery period for cats.