Snake Venom for treating bleeders

Pierre LP · Postby **Pierre LP** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:12 am

In the UK horses are not allowed to run on Lasix. Allegedly snake venom has been used according to rumours and an article in the Racing Post today.

Has anyone heard of this or any experience of its use?

Ill-bred · Postby **Ill-bred** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:59 am

There have been rumors of cobra venom (and cone snail venom) being used in the states.

summerhorse · Postby **summerhorse** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:22 am

I think TB Times recently mentioned people using snake venom even though there is no proof whatsoever that it helps a thing.

Lindros · Postby **Lindros** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:04 pm

I have heard of people injecting joints with snake venom. Both TB's and STB's. Apparently it works really well...

summerhorse · Postby **summerhorse** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:37 am

Well that seems to be what people think but they just had some mention of it in the TB Times and says it really doesn't help at all. And from what I know of snake venom I don't see how it WOULD. Snake venoms are either hemotoxic or neurotoxic. Most are also cytotoxic (starts the digestive process in the animal before it even hits the stomach). Neither of the first would do anything for a joint and the last might destroy some arthritic spurs but it would also be destroying the whole joint too! So perhaps it might work for a little tiny bit before the whole thing breaks apart! But I think the amounts injected would be insignficant (and to do more would probably kill the horse)

But hey the horse could have a second income producing snake antivenom!

Pierre LP · Postby **Pierre LP** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:28 pm

My thoughts were that it could only be detrimental to the horse