Adder bite in dogs

Nicola Bates
Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The European adder is not aggressive and only bites when provoked. Local effects include localised painful swelling often occurring within minutes of the bite. There may also be systemic effects with mental status changes and sometimes shock, coagulopathy, renal, hepatic or cardiac effects. Adder antivenom if indicated, depending on severity and location of the bite, is the most specific treatment and is expected to reduce morbidity with rapid improvement of swelling and reduce hospitalisation time. Other treatment is supportive with analgesia, intravenous fluids and antihistamines. Adder envenomation causes significant morbidity but low mortality.

Adder bite in dogs
Adder bite in dogs

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