![]() further showed that the venom seems to be used as a weapon against conspecifics, which show necrotic wounds when bitten, and that the venom can kill a variety of small-bodied animals. Alterman provided evidence that slow loris venom repelled predators and that the venom can be fatal to mice. Threatened animals wrap their arms tightly above the head to combine the fluids, and the bite is inflicted with front teeth that deliver the venom via capillary action, a defensive pose that suggests the venom may be useful against potential predators. ![]() Their venom delivery system is unusual in that saliva must be combined with oil from a brachial gland, located in the upper arm near the elbow. These nocturnal primates are found throughout South and Southeast Asia. One such animal is the slow loris (Primates: Lorisidae: Nycticebus spp.), one of few known venomous mammals. note that an increasing number of unusual taxa are now known to induce anaphylactic shock. Demain describes that anaphylaxis caused by bites and stings usually occurs after previous injections of the inducing substance, followed by a suitable time period for incubation. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include welts or rash, shortness of breath, tightening of the chest, numbing or tingling of the extremities, and potential death. Anaphylactic shock following animal bites and stings can onset within 10–15 minutes, a perilous situation when medical assistance may be absent or far away. As the illegal pet trade is a major factor in the decline of these threatened species, we hope that by reporting on the danger of handling these animals it may help to reduce their desirability as a pet.Īnaphylactic reactions can be particularly dangerous in remote tropical locations where medical aid is not available. ConclusionsĪ handful of anecdotes further support the real danger that slow loris bites pose to humans. By 8 h10 the next day, the patient’s condition had significantly improved with no nausea, and with blood pressure and pulse rate stable. The patient was treated intramuscularly with adrenaline (0.5 mL), followed by intravenous injection of hydrocortisone (400 mg) and then intravenous fluid therapy of normal saline (500 mg). The blood pressure was 110/76, the heart ratio was 116 and oxygen saturation was 96%. The patient was admitted to Mulu National Park Health Clinic/Klinik Kesihatan Taman Mulu Tarikh, at which time he was experiencing: swollen mouth, chest pain, mild abdominal pain, nausea, numbness of the lips and mouth, shortness of breath, weakness, agitation and the sensation of pressure in the ears due to swelling. By 40 minutes, swelling of the face was pronounced. Within minutes of the bite, the patient experienced paraesthesia in the right side of the jaw, ear and right foot. We describe the reaction of a patient to the bite of a subadult Nycticebus kayan, which occurred in the Mulu District of Sarawak in 2012. Asian slow lorises ( Nycticebus spp.) are one of few known venomous mammals, yet until now only one published case report has documented the impact of their venomous bite on humans.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |