BOOMSLANG ENVENOMATION IN A DOG

This case report describes a young male German Shepherd dog that prese nted with bleeding from the lip 24 hours after being bitten by a booms lang (Dispholidus typus). Bites from this snake are infrequently encou ntered in dogs due to the shy habits of the snake. The boomslang venom is a potent procoagulant causing a consumption coagulopathy with resu ltant profuse haemorrhage. The only effective treatment is the adminis tration of specific antiserum. Antiserum administration in this patien t resulted in cessation of bleeding within one hour after administrati on. The article also discusses treatment options if antiserum is unava ilable. This is the first recorded case of boomslang envenomation in t he dog.