Hematological parameters and globulin profile of Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus snakes (Serpentes: Viperidae), after the main venom gland removal

Abstract

Snakebite accidents are a neglected tropical disease worldwide. In Costa Rica, the snakes Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus cause more than the 60% of the snakebite accidents already reported. To fight this neglected human disease, biomedical institutions need to manage live venomous snake collections in order to extract venoms and produce antivenoms. The welfare of the snakes in captivity must be guaranteed, especially in the case of old animals with defective venom production, which is a common situation at the Clodomiro Picado Institute. A surgical removal of the main venom glands was performed in five B. asper and C. simus with none or low venom production. The hematological parameters and plasma proteins of these individuals were analyzed pre-surgery and for 90 days post-surgery. Surgical procedures did not produce anemia during the post-surgical evaluation, but heterophilia, relative monocytosis and lymphopenia were detected one to three days afterwards. We conclude that the surgical removal of the main venom gland is a safe procedure and did not affect the snake’s health. Additionally, the use of electrophoretic determination of the albumin:globulin ratio to assess the health condition of the snakes is discussed. Finally, the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia seems to be linked to continuous handling of the snakes during consecutive days. Monocytes play a key role in the stress response, therefore the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia of leukogram reports should be interpreted in this context.