Neural therapy as a treatment for neurological sequelae caused by crotalic accident in a domestic feline: Case reportAbstract. Snakebite accidents in domestic animals are frequent events in Brazil and can cause severe clinical manifestations, especially when involving snakes of the Crotalus genus, whose venom exhibits neurotoxic, myotoxic, and anticoagulant effects. Neural therapy consists of the application of low-concentration local anesthetics at specific points on the patient, such as acupuncture points, scars considered interference fields, intravenous and intraperitoneal routes, ganglia, among others, with the aim of restoring cellular repolarization and modulating NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors. These receptors are involved in the regulation of cognition, attention, mood, anxiety, and basic functions such as locomotion and respiration. This paper reports the case of a domestic cat with neurological sequelae following a rattlesnake bite, presenting with paralysis of the facial and hypoglossal nerves, stupor, and prostration. The animal received an esophageal feeding tube and polyvalent antivenom, and 48 hours later underwent Neural Therapy (NT) with 0.7% procaine applied to acupuncture points and in the region of the submandibular lymph node. Twenty-four hours after the first application, significant improvement in responsiveness and motor functions was observed, allowing hospital discharge. After seven days, the swallowing reflex had recovered, enabling removal of the esophageal tube and an additional application targeting facial nerve paralysis. By day 14, the patient had achieved complete clinical recovery. NT showed potential as a complementary approach in the neurological rehabilitation following rattlesnake envenomation, and controlled studies are recommended to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy

Case report

Abstract

Snakebites in small and large domestic animals caused by venomous snakes are common in Brazil, causing severe systemic symptoms. Among the most common accidents, those involving the Crotalus genus tend to present more severe clinical signs due to their neurotoxic, myotoxic and anticoagulant action, causing significant neurological injuries or even death to the patient if not treated properly. Neural therapy consists of applying local anesthetics diluted in low concentrations to specific points on the patient, which may be acupuncture points, scars considered interfering fields, intravenous, intraperitoneal, ganglia, among others, with the aim of reestablishing cellular repolarization of the affected cells and acting on NDMA receptors. These receptors act on cognition, attention, mood, anxiety and basic processes, such as locomotor activity, breathing and cognitive activities. This paper reports the case of a domestic cat with neurological sequelae after a crotalic accident, with signs of paralysis of the facial and hypoglossal nerves, torpor and prostration. This patient was treated with neural therapy (NT) in acupoints and near the submandibular lymph node, 48 hours after the administration of polyvalent antivenom and placement of an esophageal probe. Twenty-four hours after the first application of 0.7% procaine, he showed substantial improvement in basic activities and cognition, and was discharged from hospital. After 7 days, the patient returned to the clinic for removal of the probe due to the return of esophageal function and a second application for the sequelae of the facial nerve paralysis. After 14 days, the feline recovered completely and was discharged from rehabilitation treatment with NT. In cases of crotalic accident, neural therapy applied to acupoints has great potential for reducing the damage caused by neurotoxic venom, allowing the patient to recover quickly, as in the case described in this work, which opens the field for new research with this promising therapy.