SNAKE ENVENOMATION IN CATS AND ITS DETECTION BY RAPID IMMUNOASSAY

Objective To determine the usefulness of a snake venom detection kit ( SVDK) in the management of envenomed cats. Design A clinical study. An imals Twenty-two cats were investigated. Procedure Cats injected subcu taneously with approximately 0.25 or 1.0 lethal dose (LD) of tiger sna ke venom or 1 or 4 LD of brown snake venom were observed for clinical symptoms of envenomation at intervals over the ensuring 24 to 48 hours (h). Blood and urine samples were taken at regular intervals and assay ed in a quantitative laboratory assay for snake venoms. Selected sampl es were assayed in parallel in a rapid, semi-quantitative SVDK. Result s The studies showed that it was important to estimate the elapsed tim e from envenomation to presentation. If this time was less than 8 h, b lood was the most appropriate sample and a negative result should excl ude serious envenomation. If the elapsed time exceeded 8 h, it was ess ential that urine be sampled. Venom levels in urine were high at 8 h a nd approached the level of test sensitivity over 24 to 48 h; however b y this time clinical signs were obvious in endangered cats. Conclusion s Careful use of the SVDK is a valuable aid in the management of a pot entially envenomed cat.