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Snake bite
After a snake bite, my mother is receiving plasmapheresis and dialysis and has developed hemorrhage. Is recovery possible?
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Snake bite can sometimes cause severe complications like bleeding kidney injury requiring dialysis and even plasmapheresis depending on the type of envenomation.
Recovery is possible but it depends on how severe the damage is and how well she is responding to treatment right now.
Close monitoring in hospital is very important.
Please share more details or book a consultation so I can guide you better.
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Yes recovery is definitely possible
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Yes hope for the best
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Hello. I understand this is an incredibly difficult and worrying time for you and your family.
The symptoms you’ve described-requiring both dialysis and plasmapheresis after a snake bite—indicate that the venom has affected the kidneys and the blood's ability to clot (coagulopathy). This is a serious condition known as Multi-Organ Dysfunction, often seen in severe vasculotoxic bites.
To answer your question: Yes, recovery is possible. However, it is a gradual process.
Here is what the current treatments are doing for your mother:
Dialysis: This is supporting her kidneys by removing toxins and excess fluid while they recover from the venom's impact.
Plasmapheresis: This helps to "clean" the plasma, removing the venom components or inflammatory factors that are causing the hemorrhage and blood issues.
Hemorrhage Management: The medical team is likely monitoring her coagulation profile (PT/INR/APTT) and administering blood products (like FFP or platelets) as needed to control the bleeding.
Current Focus
Recovery in these cases depends on several factors:
Response to Treatment: How her body stabilizes over the next 48–72 hours with the support of dialysis and plasma exchange.
Urine Output: A gradual increase in urine output is often one of the first signs that the kidneys are beginning to recover.
Stability of Vital Signs: Keeping her blood pressure and oxygen levels stable is the primary goal for the ICU team right now.
Recommendation:
Please maintain close communication with the treating ICU intensivist or Nephrologist. Ask them about her daily "coagulation trends" and "renal recovery markers." These cases require patience, as the body needs time to neutralize the systemic effects of the venom.
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Critical condition as per the data.
How's the blood pressure ? Haemoglobin? Has the urine output increased post dialysis?
How's the PT-INR , platelet and d dimer ?
All these parameters are important predictors
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Crucial condition
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I’m really sorry your family is going through this. From what you’ve described, your mother has had a severe envenomation (likely viper bite) leading to kidney injury (requiring dialysis), blood clotting problems, and bleeding (hemorrhage).
This is a serious condition, but recovery is definitely possible, especially since she is already receiving advanced care like dialysis and plasmapheresis.
What’s happening medically:
• Snake venom can damage blood clotting → causing bleeding (hemorrhage)
• It can also affect kidneys → leading to acute kidney failure (dialysis needed)
• Plasmapheresis helps remove toxins and harmful factors from blood
Many patients do recover, but it depends on:
• Severity of bleeding
• Response to antivenom and supportive treatment
• Kidney recovery over time
Next Steps
• Continue treatment in ICU / higher center if already admitted
• Ensure she has received adequate anti-snake venom (ASV)
• Regular monitoring:
– Platelet count
– Clotting profile (PT/INR, fibrinogen)
– Kidney function (creatinine, urine output)
• Blood products may be needed (platelets, plasma)
• Dialysis may be temporary or required for some time
Stay in close discussion with treating doctors—they will guide based on daily progress.
Health Tips
• Recovery may take time—days to weeks, sometimes longer for kidneys
• Bleeding complications are serious but can be controlled with proper care
• Kidney function often improves gradually in many cases
The fact that she is already receiving proper hospital treatment is a positive sign. With timely and continued care, many patients come out of this phase successfully. Stay strong—this is a critical period, but not without hope.
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Yes recovery is possible
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Yes possible depends upon facility where admitted
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understand how distressing this situation is for your family. A snake bite, particularly from vasculotoxic or nephrotoxic species, can lead to severe systemic complications including Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which explains the need for dialysis and the development of hemorrhage (bleeding). Recovery is possible, but it depends heavily on the 'Antivenom' timing, the extent of organ damage, and the body's response to intensive supportive care like plasmapheresis. Patients in this stage are considered 'critically ill,' and while the road to recovery is long, modern intensive care has successfully managed many such complex cases."
Next Steps
Veno-toxicity: Certain snake venoms destroy blood clotting factors, leading to internal bleeding or hemorrhage.
Nephro-toxicity: The venom or the breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis) can clog the kidneys, necessitating dialysis to filter out toxins.
Role of Plasmapheresis: This procedure is being done to 'clean' the plasma, removing the circulating venom toxins and inflammatory markers that are attacking her organs.
Health Tips
Strict Monitoring: The medical team must monitor her Urine Output, Coagulation Profile (PT/INR, aPTT), and Platelet Count every few hours.
Blood Component Therapy: Depending on the severity of the hemorrhage, she may require transfusions of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) or Platelets to stop the bleeding.
Continued Dialysis: Kidney recovery often takes time (days to weeks); dialysis will support her until the renal tissues begin to regenerate.
"In such critical cases, the first 48–72 hours after starting advanced interventions like plasmapheresis are the most crucial. Maintain constant communication with the ICU intensivist regarding her 'Glasgow Coma Scale' (GCS) and renal recovery trends. For a detailed clinical evaluation, personalized guidance, and direct follow-up during this recovery phase, you can consult me directly through my profile."
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Yes, its manageable.
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Dr. Sachin Bhiwaji Sanap
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Hingoli
need more information
kindly consult
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Yes
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Need some more details kindly consult
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Yes
It will take time
Pls don’t worry
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.