Diagnosis of vipera berus bites and haemostatic effects of envenomation in cats
We request permission to obtain blood samples from cats suspected to have been bitten by the European adder (huggorm), cats with a cat bite wounds and a control group healthy, privately-owned cats.
Diagnosis of snake bite sin cats is often less clear than in dogs as the event is unlikely to be witnessed by the owner. Cat bite wounds are a common differential diagnosis.
The study has 2 purposes:
1) Establish a method of testing for vipera berus bites in cats (using PCR on serum and wound exudate) to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate snake bites from the common differential diagnosis of cat bite wounds.
2) Investigate coagulation (blood clotting) following snake bite in these patients by means of routine testing (PT, aPTT) and total thrombograms. These results can then be compared to results from dogs bitten by the European adder.
We are seeking permission to sample a total of 60 cats (20 with snake bites, 20 with cat bites and 20 heathy controls). Each cat will weigh a minimum of 4kg. These cats will be subject to a routine physical examination and one blood sampling event. The maximum blood volume taken will be 7ml Blood samples will be taken from the jugular or cephalic vein depending on the patients preference, with a vacutainer and sterile needle. An experienced veterinarian will take the blood samples. This is a routine procedure in small animal practice and is not anticipated to cause any major discomfort to the animal.
Findings from this study could aid the diagnosis of snake bites in cats and guide their subsequent treatment. Furthermore, identification of interspecies differences may help to better understand the disease process in other animal species and potentially in humans.
Cats are necessary in this study in order to investigate both interspecies and intraspecies effects of snake bites. Cats with snake bites and cat bite wounds are often subject to routine blood sampling as part of their diagnostic workup. Samples for this study will be taken at the same time to minimise the number of needle insertions. Any overtly nervous animals will be not be sampled.
Diagnosis of snake bite sin cats is often less clear than in dogs as the event is unlikely to be witnessed by the owner. Cat bite wounds are a common differential diagnosis.
The study has 2 purposes:
1) Establish a method of testing for vipera berus bites in cats (using PCR on serum and wound exudate) to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate snake bites from the common differential diagnosis of cat bite wounds.
2) Investigate coagulation (blood clotting) following snake bite in these patients by means of routine testing (PT, aPTT) and total thrombograms. These results can then be compared to results from dogs bitten by the European adder.
We are seeking permission to sample a total of 60 cats (20 with snake bites, 20 with cat bites and 20 heathy controls). Each cat will weigh a minimum of 4kg. These cats will be subject to a routine physical examination and one blood sampling event. The maximum blood volume taken will be 7ml Blood samples will be taken from the jugular or cephalic vein depending on the patients preference, with a vacutainer and sterile needle. An experienced veterinarian will take the blood samples. This is a routine procedure in small animal practice and is not anticipated to cause any major discomfort to the animal.
Findings from this study could aid the diagnosis of snake bites in cats and guide their subsequent treatment. Furthermore, identification of interspecies differences may help to better understand the disease process in other animal species and potentially in humans.
Cats are necessary in this study in order to investigate both interspecies and intraspecies effects of snake bites. Cats with snake bites and cat bite wounds are often subject to routine blood sampling as part of their diagnostic workup. Samples for this study will be taken at the same time to minimise the number of needle insertions. Any overtly nervous animals will be not be sampled.