<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Poisoning from snake venom in animals is an emergency which requires immediate attention or otherwise, the delayed and inadequate treatment leads to untoward consequences and death. The present paper describes a case of venomous snakebite in a brown bear cub (Ursus arctos L.) and its therapeutic management. The brown bear cub of which was found alone on the slopes of a mountain in the southwest part of the country was presented to the peripheral veterinary practice in Ohrid with a history of dullness, disorientation and excessive swelling around the left forepaw. It was diagnosed for snakebite based on the history and physical examination. The hematological parameters showed reduced values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and increased total leukocyte count. The biochemical values showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine. After immobilization of the animal, the treatment was conducted with fluids, corticosteroid and broad spectrum antibiotic with careful monitoring. Despite the treatment which was initiated immediately, it was only partially effective, and the animal died one hour after the beginning of its course. Poisonous snakes are common in the mountainous part of Macedonia and, just like humans, wild bears especially their cubs are susceptible to the deadly venom of some species. The severity of the reaction to snake venom and prognosis in animals depends on a number of factors: on the type and species of snake, on how much venom was injected, on the location of the bite, on the age, health and body weight of the animal and crucially, the time interval between the snakebite and the application of the treatment.</p></abstract>

Poisoning from snake venom in animals is an emergency which requires immediate attention or otherwise, the delayed and inadequate treatment leads to untoward consequences and death. The present paper describes a case of venomous snakebite in a brown bear cub (Ursus arctos L.) and its therapeutic management. The brown bear cub of which was found alone on the slopes of a mountain in the southwest part of the country was presented to the peripheral veterinary practice in Ohrid with a history of dullness, disorientation and excessive swelling around the left forepaw. It was diagnosed for snakebite based on the history and physical examination. The hematological parameters showed reduced values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and increased total leukocyte count. The biochemical values showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine. After immobilization of the animal, the treatment was conducted with fluids, corticosteroid and broad spectrum antibiotic with careful monitoring. Despite the treatment which was initiated immediately, it was only partially effective, and the animal died one hour after the beginning of its course. Poisonous snakes are common in the mountainous part of Macedonia and, just like humans, wild bears especially their cubs are susceptible to the deadly venom of some species. The severity of the reaction to snake venom and prognosis in animals depends on a number of factors: on the type and species of snake, on how much venom was injected, on the location of the bite, on the age, health and body weight of the animal and crucially, the time interval between the snakebite and the application of the treatment.

Fatal Snake Bite in a Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.): A Case Report

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Skopje, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, R. Macedonia

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Skopje Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7 1000, Skopje, Macedonia

Veterinary Practice Toni, Makedonski Prosvetiteli b.b., T.C. Ohrigjanka lok. 1, 6000 Ohrid, R. Macedonia

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Fatal Snake Bite in a Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.): A Case Report"}

Poisoning from snake venom in animals is an emergency which requires immediate attention or otherwise, the delayed and inadequate treatment leads to untoward...

Fatal Snake Bite in a Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.): A Case Report

Published Online: Nov 18, 2015

Page range: 113 - 117

Received: Aug 02, 2014

Accepted: Nov 26, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14432/j.macvetrev.2014.12.034

Keywords
venomous snakebite, brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), treatment

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Fatal Snake Bite in a Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.): A Case Report

Published Online: Nov 18, 2015

Page range: 113 - 117

Received: Aug 02, 2014

Accepted: Nov 26, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14432/j.macvetrev.2014.12.034

Keywordsvenomous snakebite, brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), treatment

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
venomous snakebite, brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), treatment