Finally, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and anemia may also occur. The patient should be monitored closely and blood products including whole blood, packed RBC's platelets, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma should be given when indicated. The hemorrhagic activity of the venom results in pulmonary edema, tachypnea, and dyspnea. Gaboon Viper venom has been noted to cause transient increases in serum SGOT, SGPT, and LDH levels suggesting damage to liver and kidney tissue. Neurological symptoms are uncommon with Gaboon Viper bites.
Respiratory distress is nearly always secondary to pulmonary edema rather than muscle paralysis.
It is important to keep venom neutralization current and continuous. The best method to accomplish this is to monitor the patient's status. If the present condition does not improve, or should it worsen for any reason, additional antivenom should be administered. Give all additional antivenom in one vial increments. Dilute the antivenom in Lactated Ringers as before and administer the antivenom I.V. piggyback over approximately 15 minutes.