Suspected immune mediated polyneuropathy as a secondary complication of elapid snake bite in a dog

Authors: James CS, Hickey MC, Bosward KL
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 55, Issue 2, pp 72-81, Jun 2025
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Article class: Clinical Article

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Abstract:

Case report: An 8-year-old male neutered German shorthaired pointer was treated for Elapid snake envenomation a total of four times over a two-year period. Brown snakes (Pseudonaja sp) were thought to be involved in all except one event, where a red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) was responsible. After each of the third and fourth snakebites, the dog developed lower motor neuron signs and megaesophagus. Both episodes occurred 7-10 days after envenomation and treatment with polyvalent antivenom. In the first episode, clinical signs rapidly progressed and then improved to full neurological resolution. On the subsequent occasion, the dog experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. Although return of spontaneous circulation was achieved, the dog required mechanical ventilation and the owners elected to euthanise. A review of the literature revealed reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a form of immune mediated neuropathy in humans, occurring after snake envenomation. This is the first description of suspected immune mediated polyneuropathy post snake envenomation in the veterinary literature.

Conclusion: Immune mediated polyneuropathy may occur in dogs as a secondary complication from Elapid snake envenomation, similar to the syndrome described in humans.

Keywords: Elapid, snake, envenomation, polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, dog

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