Pet of the Month: Dixie
Dixie, a 7 year old Airedale Terrier, was presented with her brother Murphy both suspected of having been bitten by a snake. Murphy was found carrying the snake in his mouth! Both pets were rapidly brought to our sister clinic the Midland Veterinary Hospital by very astute pet-sitters, as the dogs’ owners had just gone overseas on holiday. While Murphy was bright, alert and very happy about his achievement in catching a snake, Dixie was drooling excessively, limp, and had stopped breathing just as she arrived at the clinic.
Dr Jared Du Mond and the rest of the staff immediately began treatment for snake envenomation based on the history, presentation, and clinical exam. Dixie required urgent attention as her heart rate was very low and she was not breathing on her own due to the paralytic effects of the snake venom. Treatment included the immediate placement of an intravenous catheter to give high rates of IV fluids, endotracheal tube to protect the airway and allow assisted breathing and oxygen supplementation. She was given multiple doses of snake antivenin to bind the snake venom in her blood stream, as well as medications to reduce possible side-effects caused by administration of the antivenin. Dixie became relatively stable after several hours of intensive care and was transferred to Perth Vet Emergency for ongoing monitoring and care throughout the night.
During Dixie’s stay at the emergency clinic overnight Dixie had severe heart troubles and needed further emergency care and stabilisation. It was unclear if this was a result of the venom’s effect on the heart muscle fibres or due to lack of oxygen to the heart earlier in the day. During Dixie’s treatment Dr Du Mond did note a loud heart murmur while listening to her chest and there was an arrhythmia evident on her ECG (electrocardiogram) monitor earlier in the day but the exact cause remained unclear as her owners reported a heart murmur previously investigated at Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital not requiring treatment.
Dixie was transferred from Perth Vet Emergency to Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital the following day for cardiac tests and further monitoring. Dixie continues to do very well at home and the further tests at Murdoch has shown that she has a degenerative heart condition affecting the valves not requiring treatment at this time. Her arrhythmia appeared to be the result of the venom or decreased oxygenation and has now resolved. Well done Dixie! Also, a big thank you to Dixie’s owners who were contactable overseas and flew home immediately so they could be with their pets. Also a big thank you to the staff at Midland Vet and the entire staff at both Perth Vet Emergency and Murdoch University Vet Hospital for the continuation of care in such a complex situation.
For more information on Snake Bites refer to our information page.