Therapeutic management of Russell’s viper envenomation in a one-year-old Labrador dog: A case report

Abstract

Snake envenomation represents a common veterinary emergency in tropical countries, especially in India, where Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) is responsible for significant systemic toxicity. A one-year-old male Labrador dog was presented in lateral recumbency with a history suggestive of Russell’s viper bite and clinical manifestations including hemoglobinuria, tachycardia, and incoagulable blood as evidenced by a positive 20-minute whole blood clotting test (WBCT20). These findings indicated systemic envenomation associated with venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) and intravascular hemolysis. Immediate treatment consisted of intravenous polyvalent anti-snake venom, tetanus toxoid, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone), and intensive supportive care. Substantial clinical improvement was noted over the subsequent days, accompanied by normalization of coagulation profile and renal parameters. The dog made a complete recovery after seven days of hospitalization. This report demonstrates the benefit of early antivenom administration combined with supportive management and highlights the value of WBCT20 as a rapid, bedside diagnostic tool in resource-limited veterinary practice.