Sir, Data from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) indicate that canine mortality from adder bites is not as high as Caroline Charles-Jones suggests (letter, April 2). In 1985-2010, 985 adder bites in dogs were referred to the VPIS. The outcome of 411 was determined, and mortality was 4.6 per cent. Not all cases are referred to VPIS, but severe ones are more likely to be. Specific antivenoms are available to vets to treat dogs; indeed, VPIS and Vets Now recently launched a scheme to make such treatments more accessible.
Alexander Campbell
Veterinary Poisons Information Service, London SE1