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Therapeutic Management of Cobra Envenomation in a Goat

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 Intas Polivet (2017) Vol. 18 (I): 103-104 Short Communication

Therapeutic Management of Cobra Envenomation in a Goat

C.R. Prasanth1, Sharun Khan and S. Ajithkumar2
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU)
Mannuthy
Thrissur - 680651 (Kerala)

Abstract
A Malabari crossbred goat was presented with history of cobra envenomation. Goat was having fang marks on lower
mandible with considerable swelling around it. Subcutaneous administration of Neostigmine was given to counteract
anticholinergic effect of cobra venom followed by Atropine sulphate to alleviate the side effects of Neostigmine and
bradyarrhythmia. Heart rate and SpO 2 level were monitored continuously. Antivenin was given via intravenous route
followed by another dose mixed with normal saline via constant rate infusion over a period of one hour. Intravenous
injection of Dexamethasone and Amoxicillin-Sulbactam were given. Tramadol was given intravenously to reduce pain and
administered tetanus toxoid was intramuscularly. Animal made an uneventful recovery after three days.
Keywords: Cobra; envenomation; malabari; neostigmine
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Introduction and was having salivation. Thoracic auscultation

Bite from venomous snake could be deadly and revealed crackles in lung area and heart
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should always be treated as an emergency. The bradyarrhythmia.

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specific therapy for cobra envenomation includes

anti-venin administration and use of anti-
cholinesterase, which increases chance of survival.
The time gap between snake bite and administration
of antivenin is crucial since it decides the fate of
animal. Cobra venom contains a post synaptic a
neurotoxins called as cobrotoxin which consist of
60-62 or 66-74 amino acids. They bind to
acetylcholine receptors at the motor end plate thus
affecting neurotransmission (Warell, 1998) and
producing nervous clinical signs. Clinical reports on
the use of anticholinesterase for management of
cobra envenomation in goats are lacking. This case
study reports successful advocation of
anticholinesterase for management of cobra
envenomation in a goat.
History and Observations
A four year old Malabari crossbred goat was
presented with history of cobra envenomation one
hour before presentation. The goat was having fang
marks in lower mandible with considerable swelling
around it (Fig. 1-2). Palpation of area elicited pain.
The animal was having a partially opened mouth
1. Resident Post Graduate Scholar
2. Professor and Head, University Veterinary Hospital
and Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex,
Corresponding author.
E-mail: prasanth.edathara@gmail.com
Treatment
The goat was treated with subcutaneous injection of
Neostigmine @ 0.02mg/kg b. wt. to counter act
anticholinergic effect of cobra venom followed by
Atropine sulphate @ 0.025mg/kg b. wt. to alleviate
side effects of Neostigmine and bradyarrhythmia.
Heart rate and SpO 2 level were monitored
continuously. One vial of reconstituted antivenin was
given via intravenous route followed by another vial
mixed with normal saline via constant rate infusion
over a period of one hour. Intravenous injections of
Dexamethasone @ 0.5 mg/kg and Amoxicillin and
Sulbactam @ 15mg/kg b. wt. were advocated.
Tramadol @ 3 mg/kg b. wt. was also given
intravenously to alleviate pain. Tetanus toxoid was
given intramuscularly and animal was closely
monitored for vital parameters. On next day, animal
made considerable improvement with reduced
swelling over the affected area (Fig. 3). Vital body
parameters and haemato-biochemical values
obtained on second day were within normal range
except mild leucocytosis. Intravenous injection of
Amoxicillin-Sulbactam was continued for two more
days with tapering dose of Dexamethasone. Animal
made an uneventful recovery after three days of
therapy.
Results and Discussion
Neostigmine acted as a supportive therapy for cobra

103
 Management of cobra envenomation

Fig. 1: Swelling in lower aspect of jaw Fig. 2: Fang marks on lower aspect of jaw

blockage by inhibiting cholinesterase, so that more

quantities of acetylcholine would be made available
for competitively displacing the neurotoxin from the
nicotinic receptors and thereby improving
neuromuscular conduction. Muscarinic side effects
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of Neostigmine includes increased secretion,

bradycardia etc, and that can be avoided by
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administering Atropine sulphate. Supportive therapy

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like administration of Neostigmine along with

antivenin cobra envenomation becomes significant
in our present scenario.

Fig. 3: Reduced swelling on next day Reference

envenomation was in accordance to the study of
Sooryadas (2011). The spectacled cobra that is
usually seen in Kerala has neurotoxin that reversibly
blocks post synaptic acetylcholine receptors.
Neostigmine is a long acting anticholinesterase.
Neostigmine have reversed the neuro muscular
Sooryadas, S. (2011). Neurotoxiccobra envenomation in
a dog and its treatment with anticholinesterase and artificial
ventilation. Intas Polivet. 12: 209-11.
Warell, D.A. (2010). WHO/SEARO Guidelines for the clinical
management of snakebites in the south East Asian region.
Available: http: //www. searo. who. Int/link files/
publications_snakes. pdf.:1-152.

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