They are found in wetlands, deserts and
forests, from sea level to mountain elevations. Rattlesnakes are most active in
warmer seasons, from Spring to Autumn. In southern
latitudes they are occasionally found year-round.
Dogs can encounter a rattlesnake anytime
they are in rattlesnake habitat. You and your dog may live in rattlesnake habitat.
Perhaps you travel through or frequently visit places where rattlesnakes are
found. Maybe rattlesnakes are around when you take your dog hiking, camping or
hunting. Like people, dogs may stumble over the location of a snake by
accident. Curiosity or a protective instinct can place your dog at risk. In
each case, vaccination helps to protect her.
When injected into an unprotected dog, the
toxic components of snake venom are very painful and can have serious
consequences. Even if your dog survives the immediate effects of a rattlesnake
bite, she can be permanently injured.
Treatment of snakebite may include antivenom injections which can cost hundreds to thousands
of dollars. Use of antivenom is associated with an
increased risk of adverse effects which can complicate a dog’s recovery. Other
costs of snakebite treatment may include hospitalization, intravenous fluids or
other medicines. Vaccination is safer than antivenom
treatment. Vaccination can reduce the overall effects of snakebite, reduce or
eliminate the need for antivenom, and decrease other
treatment costs as well.
The first year your dog is vaccinated, she
should receive two doses of vaccine spaced one month apart. Subsequent booster
doses are recommended annually in the Spring, or about
a month before you take your dog into rattlesnake habitat.
This process makes vaccination safer than antivenom treatment. Protective antibodies made by your dog
in response to the vaccine start neutralizing venom immediately. On average,
antibody levels in recently vaccinated dogs are comparable to treatment with
three vials of antivenom. This means vaccinated dogs
should experience less pain and a reduced risk of permanent injury from
rattlesnake bite.
Even after your dog is vaccinated against
rattlesnake venom, she should be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and
care as soon as possible following snakebite. Even bites by non-venomous snakes
can lead to serious infections and antibiotic treatment may be needed. A
veterinarian can determine if your dog is sufficiently protected for the
specific type of snake involved and the amount of venom injected, or whether
additional medical treatment would be helpful.
Red Rock Biologics is developing a variety
of vaccines to provide the best protection against poisonous snakes for dogs in
each part of the country.
Call us if you think your dog may be at risk for rattlesnake bite. (281) 444-8387