I know some people that vaccinate their bird dogs for snake bite and know some who think it's a waste. I am on a lease now that has a lot of snakes so I'm thinking I should give the shots to my dogs because it can't hurt anything and if it helps even a little it's worth the $10 a dog it costs me. If pharmvet or others can give me some advice on when to give them I would appreciate it. Also I have a pup that will be about 9 months when it starts so need to know at what age to begin the immunizations. Thanks in advance.

I'm no vet and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn, but get the shot now and then get the booster the first part of Oct. My pooch gets it, I'm of the belief better safe than sorry. The closest vet to my lease is probably Sweetwater.

It's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

All above is correct

Cheap insurance

Just got my 2 cockers done. Buster only needed a booster. Missy had her 2nd one this week.

Even though I get the snake avoidance done each year, I get my dogs the rattlesnake vaccine. It is cheap insurance. I always get mine in August so it will be in the system when I hit the areas I hunt with rattlesnakes.

I had a Labrador bit on the side of her nose after having the vaccine. I went ahead and took her to the vet and he asked if she had it. When I told her yes, he gave her some IV fluids and some Benadryl. The swelling went down very quickly and by the next day you couldn't even tell she had been bit.

My dad had one bit in June. He was bit in shoulder was a bad deal had vaccine done so I guess he would be dead with out it. He will never be the same, but should still be able to hunt some. It was a shame I am not a bigger setter guy, but watching that dog work was absolutely beautiful in the field with that tail working into the wind.

I vaccinate my dogs and had one bit on the head earlier this year. Some antibiotics and steriods and he was good as new in a week and a half. Vaccine is good, cheap insurance in my opinion.

I think a lot depends on where they are bit.

And wether the snake has eaten recently. It use venom to digest food Also, the snake can reserve venom and a lot of bites are a dry or low venom bites.

Yep

My Brother gave his lab the first shot back in late May of this year. She was very tired and a bit slow for a few days afterward. When he gave her the final shot, she seemed more upbeat and less tired. He uses her to guide hunting clients, so she gets a lot of hunting time in the field each year. There are so many darn rattle bugs this year with the wet weather and rats and other food every where... It is every gun dog owner's choice. I have seen a QUAIL dog get nailed in the face a few years back... It was horrible for the dog, but the dog survived it with nasty swelling and a horrible smell from the infection.... If you are the snake boots type, it may be a good idea??

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!!

I wear my Chippewa snake boots all year round in the pasture

I don't think I would get on a place that I knew had lots of snakes....I have never seen a dog act the same in the field after being bit.

Then you'd better not hunt down south. Just a part of life down there. Come to think of it, there's plenty in the rolling plains also

I've never found a good place to hunt in Texas that didn't have snakes and most had a good many. Hunting in warm weather is always chancy and last year was really warm. Hoping it's a bit cooler this year and if it is not my older dogs are going to get most of the work because they don't fool with snakes. You never know about a pup and I have a nice pair that that I'm going to be careful with come Fall.

I know a guide down south that kennels about 60 EP's and he does not vaccinate. Told me he could not tell any difference in the outcome of a bite. He gets some bit every year and loses one now and then but most survive. He is very careful to not let a dog get too hot because according to his experience they are much more likely to die if hot and dehydrated when bit, vaccinated or not.

I average one to two snakebit dogs a year
I had one bit today
In my 60 years experience I have never lost a dog bit head forward
I have lost three one shoulder one front leg and one back leg
Since vaccinations I have not lost a dog but I have not had one bit on body
Took a dog to vet in spring with a day old bite
Dog had been vaccinated and vet called staff in to compare with another dog that had not been vaccinated
Dogs that have never been bitten get vaccinated twice a year
Dogs that have been bitten get vaccinated every September
I totally support vaccinating .
My treatment is pretnizone and antibiotics for 5 days
Benydril if no pretnizonee available
I strongly recommend benydrill in field first aid kit

How much Benadryl does the vet recommend? Liquid or pill? I've been buying a new container of the pills before every season to keep in my dog bag. But I'm thinking liquid would be easier to administer.

For a bad reaction to a shot my vet told me to give him 50mg. and if no change give him 50mg more after 3 or 4 hours. I guess this would be on the light side if I had a dog bit. My instinct would be to go 75-100mg right on the way to the vet.

My large syringes are labeled with ML. What's the conversion for ML to MG?

I never stayed at a Holiday Inn.