Rattlesnake Vaccine anyone?

[WhittleBurner]

Have any of you vaccinated your dogs against Rattlesnake bites? Or am I being over reactive. We have 1 that is extremely curious and actually got bit by a harmless snake when we were in Virginia. As we get closer to heading west, this has been something I've wondered about. If we do decide to get it, it needs to be done soon so it has time to work.

[TucsonJim]

Rattlesnake bites are very common here in the Southern Arizona area. I get 3-4 snakes a year on my property. A snake bite can cause a devastating wound to our pups and can also be fatal. There are several organizations here that "snake train" dogs for a reasonable fee.

I've watched this training, and it's very effective. They defang a rattlesnake, and place it in an open area. Then, they put a shock collar on the dog and walk it near the snake while on a leash. If the dog tries to investigate or play with the snake, it receives a shock that is mildly painful. The dog will associate the snake with pain, and leave it alone. The dog is given time to calm down, and the scenario is repeated. Most dogs will actively try to get away from the snake on the second try. However, there are some that need more shocks to get the message. It may seem harsh to train the dog this way, but it works very well, and is much more mild than a snake bite.

Here's a short video that shows how successful the training can be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm-yUy30mfc

If your dog is bitten, immediately take it to a veterinarian for antivenin treatment to minimize damage, scarring and potential loss of life. Treatment of a typical bite can cost well over $1000.

Jim

[FLTom52]

Rattlesnake bites are very common here in the Southern Arizona area. I get 3-4 snakes a year on my property. A snake bite can cause a devastating wound to our pups and can also be fatal. There are several organizations here that "snake train" dogs for a reasonable fee.

I've watched this training, and it's very effective. They defang a rattlesnake, and place it in an open area. Then, they put a shock collar on the dog and walk it near the snake while on a leash. If the dog tries to investigate or play with the snake, it receives a shock that is mildly painful. The dog will associate the snake with pain, and leave it alone. The dog is given time to calm down, and the scenario is repeated. Most dogs will actively try to get away from the snake on the second try. However, there are some that need more shocks to get the message. It may seem harsh to train the dog this way, but it works very well, and is much more mild than a snake bite.

Here's a short video that shows how successful the training can be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm-yUy30mfc

If your dog is bitten, immediately take it to a veterinarian for antivenin treatment to minimize damage, scarring and potential loss of life. Treatment of a typical bite can cost well over $1000.

Jim

I tried that method on my Aussie performed by a retired vet in Gainesville, Fl. To this day I'm not sure the lesson sunk in. Hope I won't have to find out.


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[WhittleBurner]

I tried that method on my Aussie performed by a retired vet in Gainesville, Fl. To this day I'm not sure the lesson sunk in. Hope I won't have to find out.


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Aussies are pretty thick skinned and stubborn as hell. We could shock ours all day till you smell his hair burn (the bark setting will keep increasing the shock on ours) and he'll ignore it.
Turn it to vibrate and that is a whole new game, he hates that and will react most times with barking at it for the first zap... But if I verbally threaten to put the collar on or zap him he amazingly listenes quickly.

We never did get the vaccine, the entire series to be effective would not have been complete for that trip. Luckily we never ran into any rattlers.

[John612]

Our vet recommends a vaccine called Red Rock.
Not sure how much it costs but it's supposed to be effective assuming you do it all including booster shots.
We run cattle in some rattlesnake country and all the cow dogs are vaccinated every year.
Good luck and please let know how it turns out for you.
Thanks
John

[Bamaman]

I had an acquaintance get bit by a copperhead, and they life flighted him to a trauma center. Another snakebit gentleman came in before him, and the hospital used up all their snake vaccine medicine. My friend's meds had to be flown in.

Since my friend had no insurance, he may get the hospital bill paid before he dies.

[WhittleBurner]

Well, or vet isn't familiar with the vac, we don't have a huge population of rattlesnakes at home. He suggested that we vaccinate out there but then it's too late, it'll be effective as we leave the area. So many go out there and nothing happens. ..i hate making decisions on a what if situation.

We are camping at a park just a bit north of home that has massaugas and camp here often enough and have never seen one on the trails. But i think they are a different creature than the rattlesnakes West.
I'm still on the fence. Been reading on it and there are many opinions or there, from it being hype to just could buy time until you get to the vet.

I like the sounds of the de sensitization training and can see where it would be effective And a long term

Bummer for your friend Bamaman,at least he's still alive

[TucsonJim]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you keep your pups on a leash at all times and only let them walk where you can see what they are getting into, you will probably be fine. The majority of dogs bitten in our area are hunting dogs or dogs that are allowed to run free. If you do see one, just give it a little room, and you'll be fine.

[Ashleen]

I agree. Our first dog, a rescue, had been bitten and took two vials of anti-venon, but the Westies we have now have never seen a real snake. (There have been a couple of king snakes in the yard that they haven't noticed.) However, when one of the garden hoses is in a different position, or they see a bit of rope on the street when we walk, they freeze and don't approach. They seem to know - but then again, they are never off-leash when we're out, unless they're in their crate. Rattlesnakes do know that dogs and people are too big to eat, so the only reason they strike/bite dogs and people is if they feel threatened. Walking in the woods, we usually make enough noise that everything knows we're comin' and has time to get out of the way, which a snake will do if it can.

[WhittleBurner]

I read someplace that it was tested on something like 38 dogs, don't remember where and don't know if that is true. If it is I don't think I want something so untested.

The more I read the less likely we are to get the shots. Well be in that area for 4 to 5 weeks and not doing a ton of backcountry hiking.