Just gave my 3 pointers rattlesnake vaccine today. I realize it’s not 100% guaranteed, but I feel it’s cheap insurance.

Anyone know if the vaccine is safe for smaller dogs? After moving to the sticks, I need to get my wife’s 17# foo foo dog V axed and snake trained.

There isn’t necessarily really good data on it but the veterinarians in my area see more bites than probably anyone in the country. Everyone I’ve asked says it works, but they say it’s more effective the more doses your dog has had.

And the closer to administration dates

My vet recommended 1 dose every 6 months. But my dogs aren’t around any snakey areas after the end of quail season.

I havent seen any data, but small dog shouldn’t be at any higher risk of a reaction than a large dog. I have some at the clinic. I’ll look tomorrow and see if I still have the package insert with safety data.

You fellas must be referring to the diamondback vaccine from Red Rock Biologics in California. Some vets say it is worthless, while others -- including a vet I knew in Eastern Oregon who treated multiple bites each year -- swear it greatly reduces the reaction and tissue damage.

Sadly, small dogs are on the wrong end of the "envenomation volume vs body weight" equation, so they likely need all the help they can get. Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't...

We tried to vaccinate all three of our Jack Russells several years ago, but they'd abscess at the injection site every time...so we gave it up. Our GSPs are vaccinated annually.

Until this year, all my dogs that were vaccinated had an abscess develop after 14 days. The abscess would go away after a week.

My vet highly recommended and for the price, I think well worth it. He did say if dog bit, go ahead and bring in as soon as possible, but mostly for antibiotics to avoid infection at bite area. We are in snake country, although rare to see them, but I did have one entirely too close to my dog last Spring. We got vax shortly after.

My blue lacy gets it on a regular basis. She has no idea what she's doing out in the pasture, but likes to act like a trained professional.

Absolutely, the vaccine just buys you more time to get your dog to the vet and lessens the dogs reaction to the bite.