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1 September 2017 PRESUMPTIVE PIT VIPER ENVENOMATION IN PSITTACINES IN A BRAZILIAN ZOO
Mathias Dislich, Peter Wohlsein, Anna Sophie Croukamp, Ulrich Neumann
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Abstract

Snake bites represent a serious public health risk in many regions of the globe, especially in tropical areas. Clinical signs and postmortem changes are well described in human and other mammalian species. However, detailed case reports about venomous snake attacks in avian species are limited. This report describes presumptive fatal envenomations in three psittacines caused by pit vipers in a Brazilian zoo. In one case, a Brazilian lancehead (Bothrops moojeni) was captured in the aviary. In all three cases the dermis around the suspected snake bite area exhibited hemorrhages and edema. Histologically, degeneration and necrosis of subcutaneous musculature were observed. Lung, heart, and kidneys displayed focal hemorrhages. The local changes are similar to those described for mammalian patients including humans. However, except for the parenchymatous hemorrhages, additional external and internal gross and histopathological lesions were missing. After ruling out other causes, such as aggression and dicoumarinic intoxication, the presumptive diagnosis of snake envenomation was made. The smaller size and variabilities of pathophysiological effects of the venom in parrots might explain the different lesion patterns observed, compared with mammals. Possibly, the birds may have reacted differently to envenomation by pit vipers and died before the venom could cause macroscopic and histological changes often observed in mammals.

Copyright 2017 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Mathias Dislich, Peter Wohlsein, Anna Sophie Croukamp, and Ulrich Neumann "PRESUMPTIVE PIT VIPER ENVENOMATION IN PSITTACINES IN A BRAZILIAN ZOO," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 48(3), 868-873, (1 September 2017). https://doi.org/10.1638/2015-0284.1
Accepted: 1 May 2017; Published: 1 September 2017
KEYWORDS
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
envenomation
Guaruba guarouba
pathology
psittacines
snake bite.
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