Scheduled to have my pup get her first rattlesnake vaccine tomorrow. Does anyone have an opinion or experience on its effectiveness?

The consensus seems to be that in the best case scenario it ameliorates the symptoms of a bite somewhat.

What about side-effects?

No side effects. I vaccinate all of my hounds and feel it has saved lives on several occasions. If a dog is bitten, you will still want to get to the vet as soon as possible. Pretty cheap insurance for dogs that are worth a lot to me.
Adios,
Gary

FWIW just heard a vet on a podcast that felt the clinical trials were not conclusive and did not vaccinate his own hunting dogs. I know that's a controversial statement, but this is a forum for discussion. With that said, I have vaccinated most of mine.

I've been using the vaccine on my dogs for the last 11 years so I would think there is plenty of data available. I've never seen any side effects except a lump at the vaccination site that goes away in a week or two and doesn't always occur from year to year. I've had one vaccinated dog bitten (by a rattlesnake) that went to the vet and was prescribed only antibiotics for the puncture wounds, no additional treatment was necessary. His swelling went down within a week and he hunted the next weekend.

I also snake train my dogs in addition to the vaccine.
As has been stated... cheap insurance.

edit note: the full effectiveness of the vaccine takes about 30 days to get going and if this is your pups first, they will give him 2 shots, 30 days apart and then a yearly booster after that. The vaccine only runs for about 6 months so you will want to make sure you plan for that if you bird hunt in the fall through spring, etc.

Go get your dog a snake avoidance clinic and vaccinate. At that point you have done all there is to do to protect your dog, barring no longer hunting. Do the training to try and avoid a bite, do the vaccine in case of a bite.

The studies originally were done with rats. This is the only published study related to dogs that I was able to find.

https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-the...t-article-VMRR#

I totally agree with "cheap insurance". We have a Lab pup we plan to enroll for snake avoidance early summer and vaccination based on recommendation by our Vet. He's attending puppy imprinting training Monday followed by Gun Dog Training early summer.

I know my experience is all positive. 4 dogs bitten all recovered real quick. I had friend that lost a dog but snake unloaded in a vain.

My dog always gets a lump that lasts a month or two. Right as I start to worry about it, it goes away. Remember where the shot was given so you will know why you have a lump.

What month do you guys do the booster?

I do mine 1 month before dove season.

Doug

I say do the vaccine and then contact SnakeWrangler on here - took my dog to him and did a snake avoidance class...very helpful!