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Snake Bite: Families of Venomous Snakes

Snakes can be divided into four groups that produce venomous bites: vipers, elapids, sea snakes, and twig snakes. Viper venom causes local swelling and tissue damage as well as hemorrhaging. Elapid venom acts rapidly and causes paralysis, especially of respiratory muscles. Sea snake venom damages muscles, causing stiffness, paralysis and potentially renal failure. Twig snake venom results in hemorrhaging and coagulopathy. For any venomous snake bite, first aid involves immobilizing the limb and seeking prompt medical treatment, which may include antivenom administration.

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Peter Abikoye
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76 views

Snake Bite: Families of Venomous Snakes

Snakes can be divided into four groups that produce venomous bites: vipers, elapids, sea snakes, and twig snakes. Viper venom causes local swelling and tissue damage as well as hemorrhaging. Elapid venom acts rapidly and causes paralysis, especially of respiratory muscles. Sea snake venom damages muscles, causing stiffness, paralysis and potentially renal failure. Twig snake venom results in hemorrhaging and coagulopathy. For any venomous snake bite, first aid involves immobilizing the limb and seeking prompt medical treatment, which may include antivenom administration.

Uploaded by

Peter Abikoye
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as EHTML, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SNAKE BITE

INTRODUCTION - Snakes are reptiles with a long narrow body and no legs, they move in a winding course. Four groups of snakes produce poisonous venom, a bite by any snake in these group will be poisonous to human.

FAMILIES OF VENOMOUS SNAKES


(1) VIPERIDAE They have long erectile fangs. They are subdivided into 2 groups. a. Viperinae True vipers e.g. Russeills viper (Dabora) European Adder, They are found in every parts of the World except America and Asian pacific b. Crotalinae (pit vipers e.g. rattle snake, malayan Pit Viper. They are found in Asia and America. They have small heat sensitive pits between their eyes and the nostrils. 2. ELAPIDAE Cobras, mambas, Kraits, coral snakes are found in all parts of the world except Europe. They have short; unmoving fangs. 3. Hydrophidae (Sea Snakes) are found in Asian pacific coastal waters. They have short fangs and flattened tacks. 4. Colubridae of which only the boomslang. Vine, twig, or bird snakes are venomous to man. These Snakes are almost exclusively tree snakes and they have habits of inflating their throats when they are threatened. They virtually do not bite human beings unless they are handled.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VENOUS OF THESE SNAKES VIPERIDAE Venom is absorbed relatively slowly via the lymphatic. They often cause Local swelling and tissue damage The venom of some species like carpet viper damages vascular endothelium and causes spontaneous bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The venom of one of this family (Berg, Adder, Bitis Atropos) is neurotoxic.

EFFECTS
Haemorrhagic effects are: Spontaneous system hemorrhage especially of the gums, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Incoagulable blood with persistent bleeding especially from sites of bite.

Cytotoxic effect Massive local swelling Blistering, necrosis and extravasation of blood and plasma. Formation of bullae.

ELAPIDAE Venoms are polypeptides, which are absorbed rapidly into the circulation. They cause nondepolarising block which result in flaccid paralysis especially of respiratory muscles. This causes death in the victim. There is little or no swelling at the site of bite exceptions to this are the spitthy cobras (Naja Nigricoilos and N. Mossambia) which may cause local swelling and necrosis without Neurotoxicity. The spitting cobras can spit venom into the eyes and cause damage.

EFFECT Neurotoxic effects are ptosis, diplopia, Cranial nerve palsies, excessive Salivation, dysphagia, dysarthria from bulbar paralysis. paralysis of skeletal and smooth muscles (including cardiac muscle) cause of death is respiratory paralysis. Cardiotoxic effects are hypotension, arrhythmias, ECG abnormalities, raised cardiac enzymes. Venomous spits into the eye causes intense kerato conjunctivitis, cornea ulceration permanent damage for the cornea and blindness especially if there is secondary bacteria infection.

HYDROPHIDAE The venom of this group of snakes damages striated muscle fibre leading to thunder, stiff muscles, muscle paralysis, especially of the limbs and respiration. This occurs within hours of bites although it may be delayed for up to 60hours. Myoglobinuria which may cause acute renal failure.

EFFECT Myotoxic effects are trismus, shift painful muscles, myoglobinuria, Acute renal failure. It also causes hyperkalaemia, which may cause cardiac arrest.

COLUBRIDAE

The venom is haemorrhagic

EFFECT Spontaneous bleeding Disseminated intravascular coagulation

MANAGEMENT Take a good history noting the effect of bite on the victim and relating this to the family the snake belongs.

Calm the patient and relieve pain with analgesics A firm pressure bandage should be placed over the bite and the limb immobilized. This greatly delays the spread of venom. Arterial tourniquets should not be used and invasion or excision of the bite are should not be performed. The type of snake should be identified if possible in about 50% of cases no venom has been injected by the snake and antivenom are not generally indicated as they cause severe allergic reactions. Nevertheless careful observation for 24hrs is necessary and antivenom must always be given when indicated. Antivenoms are products of horse serum and they therefore have a high potential for causing severe allergic reactions. A skin test may be desirable before administration of the antivenom. Antivenom is given continuously until there is evidence that both the local and systemic effect of the venom have been neutralised. Adrenalin is given if there is allergic reaction at a close of 0.5 to 1mg intramuscularly, repeated every ten minutes, till improvement of blood pressure and pulse rate. An anti histamine given slowly by intravenous route is a useful adjunct. Transfuse the patient if there is severe bleeding. Treat local tissue necrosis, Avoid pressure - releasing incisions (i.e., Fasciotomy for intense swollen area. Do not puncture bullae. Give antibiotics to prevent secondary bacteria infection teat any infection that occurs vigorously. Give antitetanus vaccine. Give intravenous fluid if patient is in shock. Assisted ventilation for those with respiratory paralysis If there is a venomous spit into the eyes, Apply topical antibiotics e.g. Chloramphenicol eyedrops, give analgesic for pain. Skin grafting may be required.

Antivenom must be kept readily available in all snake infested areas.

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