Fate of a Snake Bitten Cross Breed Goat: A Case Report
Sanjib Khargharia *
Department of Pharmacology Toxicology, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Himangshu Baruah
Department of Pharmacology Toxicology, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Snigdha Hazarika
Department of Pharmacology Toxicology, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Aditya Baruah
Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiolog, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Manoj Kr. Kalita
Department of ARGO, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Suraksha Subedi Deka
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
Nayanjyoti Pathak
Department of Pathology, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Joying, Norht Lakhimpur, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Snake bite is an important and common cause of accidental death in domestic and wild animals of India. The most affected farmers are from the rural region where they encounter with venomous snake where it is very commonly found and access to the antivenom is very limited. We came across such a case of two-year-old cross bred male (Sirohi x Assam Hill Goat) kept at Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University Assam. The reproductive organ area of the snake bitten goat was swollen with edematous with whitish discharge. The skin of the animal was discoloured and it appeared to be bluish in colour and the pupil was dilated. Fang marks were observed after retraction of skin at the biting near the jaw where sero-sanguineous fluid with blood clots accumulated. The victim of the snake bite had multiple fang marks. Cobra snakes has a habit of multiple biting in the course of its attack. The mark of multiple bite observed in the carcass may also be due to the defensive actions of the animal. An amount of about 200–500 mg of venom on an average can be delivered by the snakes of Cobra species and their bites are more common in the morning and evening hours than that of night which happened in this reported case as well. One of the most effective methods of controlling snake numbers is to reduce their food supply (rodents) and shelter. Concerned forest officials should be contacted immediately if snakes are found in farms or near to human habitat.
Keywords: Snake bite, antivenom, male crossbred goat, sero sanguineous fluid