Facial swelling in a pony attributable to an adder bite
Arbuckle, J.B.; Theakston, R.D.
Veterinary Record 131(4): 75-76
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1529506 Document Number: 401589
An 8-year-old New Forest castrated pony examined in Surrey, UK in September had the right side of the upper lip, nostril and right side of the muzzle swollen with oedema extending to the right side of the face. Cyanotic area protruded in to the mouth from the swollen lip. Rectal temperature was 38.6 degrees C. Two small puncture marks, approximately one centimetre apart, on the right nostril aroused suspicion of a adder (Vipera berus) bite. The pony was treated with injections of cortisone and antibiotics; 16 hours later the rectal temperature was 37.5 degrees C and although the face was still swollen, the protuberant swelling had subsided; a further antibiotic injection was administered. A serum sample collected before treatment was examined by immunoassay, it contained 11 ng/ml V. berus venom; a second sample collected 92 days after the bite contained a low level of antibodies to V. berus.