Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) envenomation of dogs: 31 cases (1982-2002)

The medical records of 31 dogs treated for envenomation by the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) were reviewed. Twenty-four of 25 dogs that survived were hospitalized for an average of 4.3 days. The most common presenting signs were tachycardia, swelling/edema, depressed mentation, tachypnea, and bleeding puncture wounds. Thirteen (42%) of the 31 dogs were presented with or developed cardiac arrhythmias, predominantly ventricular premature contractions. Hematological disorders, including defibrination, elevated fibrin split products, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged clotting times, were recorded in 81% of the dogs. Polyvalent crotalid antivenin was administered (mean of 4.0 vials per dog) to 88% of the surviving dogs and 50% of the nonsurviving dogs.