Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis

Snakebites pose a significant public health risk to both humans and animals in many countries. In Spain, the presence of three viper species, Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei, and Vipera aspis, complicates clinical management in veterinary settings. There is currently no standardized veterinary proto...

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Authors: Aradilla, Nicolás; Sánchez-Fortún Rodríguez, Sebastián
Format: Article
Publication date:2025
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/124224
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124224
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:636.09
Dog
Envenomation
Retrospective analysis
Spain
Viper bite
Veterinaria
3109 Ciencias Veterinarias
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author Aradilla, Nicolás
author2 Sánchez-Fortún Rodríguez, Sebastián
author2_role author
author_browse Aradilla, Nicolás
Sánchez-Fortún Rodríguez, Sebastián
author_facet Aradilla, Nicolás
Sánchez-Fortún Rodríguez, Sebastián
author_role author
collection Docta Complutense
description Snakebites pose a significant public health risk to both humans and animals in many countries. In Spain, the presence of three viper species, Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei, and Vipera aspis, complicates clinical management in veterinary settings. There is currently no standardized veterinary protocol for treating viper bites in many countries. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical approaches employed by Spanish veterinary centers in treating canine viper bites within the distribution range of these species. Data from 62 clinical cases across 58 veterinary centers were reviewed, including demographic information, clinical findings, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for each biotope. The analysis found no demographic differences among the three species, except for variations in the identification methods (owner reports and clinical signs) used by veterinary centers. While main clinical findings (inflammation, edema, local pain) were generally consistent, differences in the incidence of hyperthermia and local necrosis were noted, particularly between Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis. Only in V. aspis bite accidents were neurological signs of depression evident. Antivenom was not used in any of the protocols; however, centers utilized various pharmacological treatments (fluid replacement, opioids, glucocorticoids, antibiotics) depending on the region. The observed mortality rate (6.5 %) aligned with those reported for other European viper species. These findings establish a foundation for current practices in Spain, highlight key differences, and underscore the need for species-specific protocols in other countries, supporting the rationale for future targeted studies worldwide
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
format article
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institution Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
instname_str Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
language eng
network_acronym_str ES
network_name_str España
oai_identifier_str oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/124224
publishDate 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Elsevier
publisherStr Elsevier
reponame_str Docta Complutense
spelling Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis Aradilla, Nicolás Sánchez-Fortún Rodríguez, Sebastián 636.09 Dog Envenomation Retrospective analysis Spain Viper bite Veterinaria 3109 Ciencias Veterinarias Snakebites pose a significant public health risk to both humans and animals in many countries. In Spain, the presence of three viper species, Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei, and Vipera aspis, complicates clinical management in veterinary settings. There is currently no standardized veterinary protocol for treating viper bites in many countries. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical approaches employed by Spanish veterinary centers in treating canine viper bites within the distribution range of these species. Data from 62 clinical cases across 58 veterinary centers were reviewed, including demographic information, clinical findings, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for each biotope. The analysis found no demographic differences among the three species, except for variations in the identification methods (owner reports and clinical signs) used by veterinary centers. While main clinical findings (inflammation, edema, local pain) were generally consistent, differences in the incidence of hyperthermia and local necrosis were noted, particularly between Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis. Only in V. aspis bite accidents were neurological signs of depression evident. Antivenom was not used in any of the protocols; however, centers utilized various pharmacological treatments (fluid replacement, opioids, glucocorticoids, antibiotics) depending on the region. The observed mortality rate (6.5 %) aligned with those reported for other European viper species. These findings establish a foundation for current practices in Spain, highlight key differences, and underscore the need for species-specific protocols in other countries, supporting the rationale for future targeted studies worldwide Elsevier https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124224
spellingShingle Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
Aradilla, Nicolás
636.09
Dog
Envenomation
Retrospective analysis
Spain
Viper bite
Veterinaria
3109 Ciencias Veterinarias
title Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
title_full Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
title_fullStr Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
title_full_unstemmed Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
title_short Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
title_sort Retrospective analysis of the clinical approach practiced in dog bite cases caused by Vipera latastei, Vipera seoanei and Vipera aspis
topic 636.09
Dog
Envenomation
Retrospective analysis
Spain
Viper bite
Veterinaria
3109 Ciencias Veterinarias
topic_facet 636.09
Dog
Envenomation
Retrospective analysis
Spain
Viper bite
Veterinaria
3109 Ciencias Veterinarias
url https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124224