HEMATOLOGICAL-CHANGES INDUCED BY BOTHROPS-JARARACA VENOM IN DOGS

The mechanism of consumption coagulopathy observed in cases of human e nvenomation by Bothrops jararaca is well established. However, this me chanism may vary according to the animal species studied. In order to study both the clinical and laboratory aspects of bothropic envenomati on in dogs, a sublethal defibrinating dose of venom (100 mu g/kg) was given intravenously. A coagulopathy similar to that observed in humans - including fibrinogen depletion, consumption of factors II, X, V and antithrombin III, and moderate thrombocytopenia - was observed. The p resence of circulating activated platelets was also noted. Neutrophili c leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and monocytosis occurred at different tim es. Erythrocytic values remained normal in dogs treated with B. jarara ca venom compared with those treated with saline alone. The erythrocyt e sedimentation rate fell rapidly after venom administration and this fall was correlated logarithmically with fibrinogen concentration. Sin ce the effect of envenomation in dogs is similar to that in humans, it was concluded that the dog can be used as a good animal model for stu dying human venom-induced coagulopathy.