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  Discussion on Research Summary: Elapid snake bites in horses
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2017 - 9:59 am:

Edited from Wikipedia:
The Elapidae (Greek ἔλλοψ éllops, "sea-fish"[1]) are a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, and South America, and aquatic species in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Elapid snakes exhibit a wide range of sizes, from 18-centimetre (7.1 in) species of Drysdalia to the 5.6-metre (18 ft) king cobra. All elapids are characterized by hollow, fixed fangs through which they inject venom. Currently, 325 species in 61 genera are recognized;[2] 58 genera and 251 species are in the Old World, against a minor diversity of three genera and 74 species in the New World.

Distribution
On land, these snakes are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, except in Europe. Sea snakes occur mainly in the Indian Ocean and the southwest Pacific. However, the range of one species, Pelamis platura, extends across the Pacific to the coasts of Central and South America.[3] In North America the only species is the coral snake.

Venom
Many elapids are potentially deadly venomous snakes. Their venom is mainly neurotoxic, although many of them also possess several other types of toxins, including cardiotoxins and cytotoxins. This family has some members considered to be the world's most venomous land snakes based on the murine LD50 of their venom, such as the inland taipan.[4] Additionally, some large-sized elapids, such as the Asiatic king cobra, African black mamba, forest cobra, and Australasian coastal taipan, can inject a large quantity of venom during envenomation.

Equine Vet J. 2017 Aug 8.
Elapid snake envenomation in horses: 52 cases (2006-2016).
Bamford NJ1, Sprinkle SB1, Cudmore LA2, Cullimore AM3, van Eps AW4, Verdegaal EJMM5, Tennent-Brown BS1.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Snake envenomation is a cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic animals worldwide. The clinical features of crotalid snake (pit viper) envenomation are widely reported and well described in horses but elapid snake envenomation is poorly characterised.
OBJECTIVES:

To describe the presentation, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of horses with a diagnosis of elapid snake envenomation in Australia.
STUDY DESIGN:

Retrospective case series.
METHODS:

Medical records of horses with a diagnosis of elapid snake envenomation (2006-2016) at several university and private veterinary practices were reviewed. Inclusion criteria comprised one or more of the following: (1) observed snakebite, (2) positive snake venom detection kit (SVDK) result, (3) appropriate clinical response to treatment with antivenom or (4) supportive post mortem findings.
RESULTS:

Fifty-two cases met the inclusion criteria. Most cases (94%) demonstrated clinical signs of neurotoxicity, characterised by generalised neuromuscular weakness. Associated neurologic signs included staggering gait, muscle fasciculations, recumbency, mydriasis, ptosis and tongue paresis. Concurrent clinically important conditions included rhabdomyolysis (50%) and haemolysis (19%). Of 18 urine samples evaluated with a SVDK, only three (17%) were positive. Overall survival was favourable (86%) among 49 horses that received antivenom. Eighteen surviving horses (43%) required more than one vial of antivenom.
MAIN LIMITATIONS:

Possible cases within the searchable database were not included if horses died acutely or responded to symptomatic treatment without receiving antivenom.
CONCLUSIONS:

Elapid snake envenomation is primarily a synDrOme of neuromuscular weakness. Supportive anamnesis or an obvious bite site are rarely encountered. In endemic areas, this diagnosis should be considered for horses with generalised neuromuscular weakness, altered mentation, rhabdomyolysis and/or haemolysis; especially during spring and summer months. Diagnostic suspicion is best confirmed by response to treatment with antivenom.
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