In Dogs Bitten by the European Adder (Vipera Berus), Do Corticosteroids and Supportive Treatment Improve Clinical Outcome Compared to Supportive Treatment Alone?

Abstract

PICO question

In dogs bitten by the European adder (Vipera berus), do corticosteroids and supportive treatment improve clinical outcome compared to supportive treatment alone?

Clinical bottom line

• There is currently insufficient strength of evidence to either support or reject the use of glucocorticoids in dogs bitten by the European adder (Vipera berus) and further controlled trials are needed to fully answer this question.
• Glucocorticoids may be indicated in cases of adverse reaction to antivenom treatment although there is not enough evidence to conclude whether there is a benefit to prophylactic administration prior to antivenom treatment.