Rattlesnake vaccine

My vet has been pushing this on us but I had never heard of it so I said I would do a little more research and get back to her. She said it is effective for all venomous snakes (In Texas) and slows the reaction down if bitten. What do y'all think and have you had this vaccine given to your dog? Any side effects?

You will also need a booster shot in a couple months. To me it's cheap insurance, my GSP has had no side effects from the shots, I get them every year. Then again your dog could get hit in a lung, the shot wouldn't help at all. I know a guy who lost a pointer because of this.

If you live, or plan on taking the dog where it could come into contact with a rattler, I have it done. If it only has a chance of coming in to contact with copperheads, or cottonmouths, I go for the avoidance training, and pass on getting the vaccine.

My dogs have never had any side effects from the shot, and they get it yearly.
I do know of a couple of dogs that have gotten a lump at the injection site.

My vet recommends a booster every 6 months. Just got a reminder they are both due at the end of May. Been getting the shots for several years, no side affects.

I have it done to my gal

I endorse this message.

All venomous snakes? Might want to check that and find a new vet. Unless there is something new on the .market I think that's craps.

Per RedRock Laboratories, it covers Western Diamondback rattler venom, only!

Just looked at Wal 189's website. He broke 2 of my labs several years ago. You could not pour them on a snake after he was done. Thanks Wal by the way.

I see your endorcement and raise you another.

From UC Davis Veterinary Medicine -

"The Canine Rattlesnake Vaccine (Red Rock Biologics) comprises venom components from Crotalus atrox (Western Diamondback). The vaccine became available in the early 2000s as a means of preventing morbidity and mortality in dogs likely to be bitten by rattlesnakes. Although there may be circumstances where a rattlesnake vaccine may be potentially useful for dogs that frequently encounter rattlesnakes, there remains little fact-based data to support the efficacy of the vaccine to date. Dogs do develop neutralizing antibody titers to C. atrox venom, but titers may vary and frequent boosters (4-6 months) may be required to maintain titers. Vaccine costs are between $20.00 to $40.00 per injection. According to the manufacturer, rare vaccinated dogs have died following a bite when there were substantial delays (12-24 hours) in seeking treatment. According to the manufacturer, no new efficacy trials have been performed to verify efficacy.

The vaccine has been administered to over 100,000 dogs to date, and appears relatively safe, with less than 1% reported side effects. The most common side effects have included sterile abscesses (1/300 injections) and injection site reactions or lumps (1/1,500), most of which resolve without treatment in 3-4 weeks. Flu-like symptoms have been reported in 1/3,000 vaccinations which are reported to resolve in 2-3 days. Anaphylactic reactions are estimated to occur in 1/250,000 cases.

Although the product is relatively safe, even vaccinated dogs bitten by rattlesnakes should be considered a veterinary emergency. This is due to the fact that 1) snake venom components vary with species and some (e.g., Mojave rattlesnake) may not be covered by the vaccine 2) antibody titers may be overwhelmed in the face of severe envenomation, and 3) an individual dog may lack protection depending on its response to the vaccine and the time elapsed since vaccination.

Here is my serious take on the matter. I am in the business so to speak. My job is to attempt to make your dog retain a fear of snakes. The vaccine's job is to aid assist the dog in fighting the effects of a venomous bite. The vet is to try an keep the dog alive and minimize damage.

Being in this business for now my second decade I have noticed a trend. As this caption describes " there remains little fact-based data to support the efficacy of the vaccine to date" I have zero fact based science to add to the conversation. I can tell you my observations. Early on in the business I would hear countless stories of "Yeah we lost old Suzie to a rattler". I heard of at the very least a dozen dogs a year being killed by venomous snakes. What I have noticed is I don't hear this anymore. Very rarely do I hear something, maybe once or twice during the training season.

Is it science, of course not. I have often asked myself why. The only thing I can come up with is education.. People have been educated when it comes to their dogs. They are seeking the aversion training. People are getting their dogs vaccinated. They don't let their dogs just run loose in snake country.

The advice I give everyone. Get that dog trained by a professional. Not some yahoo with a collar that thinks or tells you he knows what he is doing. Get that dog trained and keep him trained. YOu want him shaking like he is passing a peach seed everytime he hits on the site scent and sound of a snake. You want that tail tucked, arse dropped , chest heaving and a willingness to do nothing but get out of the area. Get it done.

As important get them vaccinated. Train to avoid a bite, vaccinate in case of a bite. I tell every client "I can not completely stop your dog from getting a bite". THere are simply too many factors involved to expect a once a year session to stop your dog from getting a bite. Some dogs get it in one session and retain that memory for a lifetime, some keep it for a little while and go back to being dogs. I would bet my paycheck Izzy in Weatherford, Texas (Stnkbelly's DD) will do like she does every year. She gets wind and that is it. She wants out, fun is over and she is leaving the area.

Here in Tucson, we have dog trainers that teach snake avoidance and Colorado River toad avoidance. The toads really hit the town dogs hard once the monsoon season starts.

I did snake training and the vaccine, snake training took all of 15 minutes (75 bucks) and the vaccine took all of 5 minutes and 23 bucks (twice) at the vet in Olney. It was well worth the peace of mind knowing the dog "should" be safe.

I did snake training and the vaccine, snake training took all of 15 minutes (75 bucks) and the vaccine took all of 5 minutes and 23 bucks (twice) at the vet in Olney. It was well worth the peace of mind knowing the dog "should"

I had one lab that had allergic reaction to the vaccine, took her back to the vet and she got a Benadryl shot and was fine. Made her head swell up like a boxer in the 12th round.

I do the training and vaccine every year. One of my dog always gets a lump from the shot. It will get about the size of a large marble and sometimes the hair falls out. About 2 months later, it is gone. The other dog has no problems. The shot isn't good enough. The training is a must.