Naja kaouthia ( Monocellate Cobra )
Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White
Family: Elapidae
Subfamily: Elapinae
Genus: Naja
Species: kaouthia
Common Names: Monocellate Cobra , Thailand Cobra ,
Monacled Cobra , Bengal Cobra , Monocled Cobra
Local Names: Mwe Haut , Ular Sendok , Ngu Hao , Ngu
Hao Dam
Region: Indian Sub-continent + North Asia + Southeast
Asia
Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam
Naja kaouthia ( Monocellate Cobra ) Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White
Taxonomy and Biology
Adult Length: 1.00 m
General Shape: Medium to large in length, heavy
bodied snake with long cervical ribs capable of expansion to form a hood when
threatened. Body is compressed dorsoventrally and sub-cylindrical posteriorly.
Can grow to a maximum of about 2.00 metres but rarely exceeds 1.60 metres. Head
is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from neck with a short, rounded
snout and large nostrils. Eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal
scales are smooth and strongly oblique. Dorsal scale count ( 25 to 31 ) - ( 19
to 21 ) - ( 15 or 17 ).
Habitat: Adaptable to a wide range of terrain
including grassland plains, jungle, open fields and even heavy populated
regions. Usually found at elevations below about 700 metres
Habits: A non-spitter and nocturnal snake. Tends to
head for cover if disturbed. If cornered it will raise its forebody and spread
its hood and often strikes with a closed mouth. Often found in tree holes and
areas where rodents are plentiful.
Prey: Feeds mainly on toads and frogs but will also
eat snakes, small mammals and occasionally fish.
Naja kaouthia ( Monocellate Cobra ) Original photo copyright © Dr Wolfgang Wuster
Venom
General: Venom Neurotoxins
|
Postsynaptic neurotoxins
|
General: Venom Myotoxins
|
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Procoagulants
|
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Anticoagulants
|
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
|
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
|
Probably not present
|
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
|
Possibly present
|
General: Venom Necrotoxins
|
Present but not defined
|
General: Venom Other
|
Not present or not significant
|
Naja kaouthia ( Monocellate Cobra ) Original photo copyright © Dr Wolfgang Wuster
Clinical Effects
General: Dangerousness
|
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
|
General: Rate of Envenoming
|
60-80%
|
General: Untreated Lethality Rate
|
1-10%
|
General: Local Effects
|
Marked local effects; pain, severe swelling, bruising,
blistering, necrosis
|
General: Local Necrosis
|
Common, moderate to severe
|
General: General Systemic Effects
|
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or
convulsions
|
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
|
May cause moderate to severe flaccid paralysis
|
General: Myotoxicity
|
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
|
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
|
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
|
General: Renal Damage
|
Rare, usually secondary effect
|
General: Cardiotoxicity
|
Rare, usually secondary
|
General: Other
|
These snakes can spit their venom, causing venom spit
ophthalmia.
|
Naja kaouthia ( Monocellate Cobra ) Original photo copyright © Dr Wolfgang Wuster
First Aid
Description:
First aid
for bites by Elapid snakes which are likely to cause significant local damage
at the bite site as their major clinical effect. This includes venom spat into
eyes by spitting cobras.
Details
Section
1:
General first aid (for first aid of venom spit ophthalmia (venom in eyes) see
Section 2 below).
1. After
ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes
by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down
and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this
mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for
reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming,
the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid
bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical
treatment.
2. The
bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp
cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the
wound must not be massaged.
3. All
rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be
removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. The
bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an
extemporised splint or sling; if available, crepe bandaging of the splinted
limb is an effective form of immobilisation.
5. If
there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration,
airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In
particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory
paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and
prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth)
technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not
use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric
shock.
7. Avoid
peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there
will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several
hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the
offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for
identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally
occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head,
as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake
into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites.
9. The
snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible
to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person
(health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be
exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If
no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher
or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most
traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are
useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision,
excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined
incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or
instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic
soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of
traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic
plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
Section
2:
First aid for venom spit ophthalmia.
1. Venom
coming into contact with eyes can cause intense conjunctivitis with a risk of
corneal erosions, complicated by secondary infection, anterior uveitis and even
permanent blindness. All this can occur following venom spat into the eyes from
a spitting cobra.
2.
Irrigate the eye or other affected mucous membrane as soon as possible using
large volumes of water or any other available bland fluid. Never use chemical
solutions or petroleum products such as petrol or kerosene. Milk is soothing
and can be used, or in an emergency beer or urine are possibilities. Keep
irrigating the eyes, hold them under a slowly running tap for a several
minutes, while opening the eyelids and rotating the eyeball. The eye will be
very painful, so patience, tact and reassurance are needed.
3. The
eye should be bandaged using a pad over the eye and dark glasses worn.
4. Don''t
let the victim rub the eye.
5. Seek
urgent medical attention
Treatment
Treatment Summary: Bites can cause both
local tissue injury and systemic effects, principally flaccid paralysis.
Treatment is therefore twofold; good wound care and control of secondary
infection, plus watch for flaccid paralysis. If severe paralysis present, with
respiratory failure, requires intubation & ventilation. Specific antivenoms
available, which should be given at first sign of developing paralysis.
Key Diagnostic Features: Local pain, swelling,
blistering, necrosis ± flaccid paralysis
General Approach to Management: All cases should be
treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement
of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is
mandatory. Admit all cases.
Antivenom Therapy: Antivenom is the key
treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required.
Antivenoms
1.
Antivenom Code: SAsTRC02
Antivenom
Name: Cobra Antivenin
Manufacturer:
Science Division, Thai Red Cross Society
Phone:
++66-2-252-0161 (up to 0164)
Address:
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
1871 Rama
IV Road
Pathumwan
Bangkok
10330
Country:
Thailand
2.
Antivenom Code: SAsGPO03
Antivenom
Name: Cobra Antivenom
Manufacturer:
Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organisation
Phone:
++662-644-8851
Address:
75/1 Rama VI Road,
Ratchathewi
Bangkok
10400,
Country:
Thailand
3.
Antivenom Code: SAsVRU04
Antivenom
Name: Naja kaouthia Antivenom
Manufacturer:
Venom Research Unit
Address:
University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Ho Chi
Minh City
217 An
Duong Vuong Q5
Country:
Vietnam
4.
Antivenom Code: SAsPIM01
Antivenom
Name: Bivalent
Manufacturer:
Pharmaceutical Industries Corporation
Phone:
+95-1-566742
+95-1-566750
Address:
192 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road,
Bahan,
Yangon,
Country:
Myanmar ( Burma )
5.
Antivenom Code: SAsPIM02
Antivenom
Name: Anti-Cobra, Siamese Cobra
Manufacturer:
Pharmaceutical Industries Corporation
Phone:
+95-1-566742
+95-1-566750
Address:
192 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road,
Bahan,
Yangon,
Country:
Myanmar ( Burma )
Source: Clinical
Toxinology Resources
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