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Myolysis

Muscle damage may sometimes be purely local (some rattlesnake species) but is more usually systemic. Onset is likely to be at least one hour post-bite, but symptoms and signs are mostly delayed considerably longer. Symptoms include muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, the latter possibly mimicing paralysis. Symptom onset is usually associated with detectable, often frank myoglobinuria, the urine varying from clear red (similar to haemoglobinuria) to deep muddy brown.