What are the other names for this Condition? (Also known as/ Synonyms)

• Bothrops Alternatus Snake Bite
• Crossed Lancehead Pitviper Snake Bite
• Parker's Pitviper Snake Bite

What is Urutu Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Urutu snake (Bothrops alternatus) is a highly-venomous snake that ranges in size from 3 feet to over 6.5 feet in length. The snake belongs to the subspecies of pit vipers, family Viperidae. Pit vipers are termed so, due to the presence of certain heat-sensing organs located in a recess/notch between their eyes and nostrils
• This reptile is found at elevations of about 2,300 feet (700 m) in the tropical and semitropical forests, temperate deciduous forest, swamps and marshes, open fields and grasslands, and rocky terrain regions of Argentina (mainly), Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in the South American continent. It is a nocturnal snake that hunts at night, preying mainly on rodents and other small mammals
• The Urutu snake has a medium to large-sized body. The head of the snake is broad and shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. The snake color varies from one region to another and may be brown/tan or gray/olive green. Its body may have a series of back-to-back light-colored “C” shaped markings with pale edges. The belly of the snake is pale white-gray, and a dark brown stripe may be seen from its neck to its tail
• The snake is frequently observed in sugarcane plantations in the endemic region. Urutu Snake Bites involving humans are not uncommon; the snake has a bad temper and is easily irritated. A bite from a fully-grown snake has the potential to result in severe envenomation (venom injection) with significant symptoms, in the absence of adequate treatment. The envenomation rate is usually over 80%
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Urutu Snake Bite may include severe pain and other effects at the bite site, including local swelling with bruising, blistering, and tissue necrosis. In case of systemic symptoms, the bite can result in headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse. The snake venom is a highly potent mix of hemotoxins that can cause internal bleeding, hypovolemic shock, and renal failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include the use of pain medication, wound care, blood transfusion, and breathing support, if needed. The prognosis of Urutu Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; fatalities are generally not reported