OCTOBER – FLYNN
Flynn presented to us at the end of September after his owner suspected he had been bitten by a snake. He would not come when called, was acting strangely and vomited – all signs that are typically seen shortly after envenomation.
He was rushed to the clinic and by the time he got to us he could not walk at all. Flynn was in shock which was corrected with IV Fluid therapy.
Blood tests confirmed our suspicions, as Flynn had increased enzymes indicating muscle breakdown, an effect of myotoxins in snake venom. He also had obviously red urine, a result of haemolysin toxins that were breaking down his red blood cells. Without haste, Flynn began to receive antivenom. He was becoming progressively paralysed by the snake’s neurotoxins and he could not swallow or even blink. Flynn was monitored constantly while his reflexes began to return, and within only hours of receiving antivenom, he was able to stand again. The facial swelling he had (as seen in the pictures) was at the site of the snake bite.Over the following 5 days Flynn received treatment and monitoring in hospital. While his reflexes returned quite speedily, Flynn’s haemoglobulinuria (blood pgiment in the uring) persisted, meaning that his kidneys were under stress from these large particles being filtered through them. this meant that he needed to be on IV fluids at all times to support his renal function. A few days into treatment Flynn was mooving around, eating and drinking well. His urine began to return to normal slowly however, when it turned red AGAIN – we were worried.
A microscopic blood smear examination and measurement of Flynn’s totaly red blood cells (“packed cell volume” or “PCV”) confirmed that Flynn’s own immune system was attacking his red blood cells and therefore he was becoming anaemic.
Treatment with steroids commenced, and Flynn has not taken a step backwards since!
Flynn will need to continue treatment for his IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia) for the next 5 months and is receiving regular checck-ups to ensure that his anaemia is improving. Throughout his treatment Flynn has been such a resiliant patient, with a friendly and loving nature and patience with all his treatments and tests. We are so glad to see him up and about again and enjoying life, and hope he leaves those pesky snakes alone from now on!