 Rattlesnakes
are indigenous to the Inland Empire and are known to strike pets during
the spring and summer time. Rattlesnake venom can be deadly in
even small amounts. The venom contains chemicals, which affect the
ability to clot, can cause irregular heart rhythms, cause severe local
swelling and death of tissue. If left untreated, many pets
will be killed by even a small bite. The severity of the injury is
based on the size of the pet (larger pets have a better chance than
smaller ones), the size of the snake (larger snakes may have larger
venom sacs) and the amount of venom injected in the wound (varies with
the length of time the snake stays biting the pet, the age of the snake,
when they last struck etc.
Treatment for snake bite involves:
- Treating the pet for cardiovascular shock
with intravenous fluids and other drugs
- Attempting to neutralize the toxins
through the use of anti-venom serum. This serum has
antibodies, which will hook onto the venom and allow the pet's
immune system to neutralize it.
- Broad spectrum antibiotics to prevent
infection
- General supportive care
- Sometimes surgery is required to remove
damaged tissue.
Protocol for Protection
Recently, a
vaccine has been developed to help dogs combat the effects of rattle
snake bites. This vaccine helps the pet's immune system develop
antibodies against the toxic venom. When a vaccinated pet is
struck by a rattler, the antibodies help to neutralize the poison and
thus reduce the severity of the injury. 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.
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.
Snakebite is always an emergency.
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.
What types of snakes does this
vaccine protect against?
This rattlesnake vaccine was developed to
protect against Western Diamondback Rattlesnake venom. It is most
effective against this snake's venom.
Venom from many other snakes found throughout
the United States is similar to the venom of the Western Diamondback
Rattlesnake. Because of these similarities, this vaccine also provides
protection against the venoms of the Western Rattlesnake (including the
Prairie, Great Basin, Northern and Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes),
Sidewinder, Timber Rattlesnake, Massasauga and the Copperhead. This
vaccine provides partial protection against the Eastern Diamondback
Rattlesnake.
This vaccine does not provide protection
against the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth), Mojave Rattlesnake or Coral
Snakes. 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.
Should my dog be vaccinated?
If your dog lives, works or plays where
rattlesnakes live, you should consider vaccination with a rattlesnake
vaccine. Approximately 300,000 dogs and cats are bitten by venomous
snakes each year in the United States. Rattlesnake venom can cause
serious injury and even death.
How well does this vaccine work?
This vaccine works extremely well at getting
dogs to generate protective antibody against rattlesnake venom. These
protective antibodies start neutralizing venom immediately. This means
that vaccinated dogs experience less pain and have a reduced risk of
permanent injury from rattlesnake bite. Veterinarians typically report
that such dogs experience less swelling, less tissue damage and a faster
recovery from snakebite than unvaccinated dogs.
Factors which may influence antibody
effectiveness against venomous snakebite include: the type of snake,
location of bite and amount of venom injected; how well the dog has
responded to the vaccine and the length of time since the last dose of
vaccine was given to the dog.
How long does protection last? How often
should my dog be vaccinated?
The maximum protection generated by vaccination
typically becomes available about four to six weeks after the most
recent vaccine booster dose. That protection then declines slowly over
time. Vaccinated dogs typically receive good protection for about six
months after boostering. Depending on the dog, some protection may
continue out to a year, or longer.
The first time your dog is vaccinated, we
recommend an initial vaccine injection followed by a booster dose about
one month later. The recommended subsequent boostering schedule of one,
two or three vaccine doses per year depends upon your dog's anticipated
exposure to rattlesnakes and the size of your dog.
Most dogs that are exposed to rattlesnakes for
less than six months per year will only require a single booster dose
for that year. The best time to give that dose is approximately one
month before the start of the rattlesnake "season." This category
includes dogs who live in roughly the northern half of the United
States, or dogs who briefly visit locations where rattlesnakes may be
active -- such as during a camping or hunting trip.
If your dog will be in an area where
rattlesnakes are active for more than six months per year (roughly the
southern half of the United States) we recommend two annual booster
doses given four to six months apart. Again, the first booster dose
should be given one month before the rattlesnake season begins. The
second dose is given approximately half-way through the season.
If your dog is at particular risk of being
bitten by a rattlesnake (for example, a search and rescue dog, some
hunting dogs or dogs living in a high density rattlesnake area), you
should consider using three booster doses per year at four month
intervals.
Since resistance to venom depends upon the
amount of venom neutralizing antibody available, small dogs (under 25
pounds) are at increased risk of envenomation injury. Because of this, a
third dose in the initial sequence, and in subsequent years more
frequent boosters (e.g. every four to six months), may be advisable in
small dogs to maximize their antibody production for more protection.
Large dogs (over 100 pounds) do not develop as
high an antibody level as intermediate-sized dogs in response to the two
dose initial sequence. For this reason, large dogs may also benefit from
a third dose in the initial sequence, although they do not necessarily
require additional annual booster doses to maintain that antibody level.
How safe is this vaccine? Are there any side
effects?
Safety data for this vaccine is similar to the
available safety data of other pet vaccines currently in use. The
vaccine is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and
is recommended by thousands of veterinarians nationwide. The vaccine is
safe for use in pregnant and lactating dogs, puppies as young as four
months and healthy older dogs.
Side effects reported by veterinarians have
been few and mild. Less than one percent of vaccinations result in a
mild swelling at the injection site. The swelling does not bother the
dog (there is no itching or pain) and the swelling resolves without
treatment in about three weeks. Occasionally, a veterinarian may drain
fluid from the swelling or prescribe antibiotics to speed up healing.
Rarely (less than one-tenth of one percent of vaccinations), dogs have
experienced mild cases of vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy for one to two
days after vaccination. Cases of life-threatening anaphylaxis (an acute,
"allergic" reaction to the vaccine) are extremely rare with this
vaccine. These are estimated to occur at between one and three cases per
million doses of vaccine administered.
A decision to vaccinate your dog should balance
the risk and consequence of a venomous snakebite with the risk and
consequence of vaccination. We recommend that you talk with your
veterinarian about these risks.
What should I do if my vaccinated dog is
bitten by a rattlesnake?
Snakebite is always an emergency. Even a
vaccinated dog should be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and care
as soon as possible following snakebite. Veterinarians can determine if
your dog's immunity at the time of the bite is sufficient for the venom
dose received or if additional treatment is required. Even bites by
non-venomous snakes can lead to serious infections and antibiotic
treatment may be needed. A veterinarian is the best person to consult
regarding medical decisions for your dog.
Can dogs who have already been bitten by a
rattlesnake be vaccinated?
Yes. We recommend waiting six weeks after your
dog has been bitten by a rattlesnake before vaccination with this
product. This wait will allow your dog to fully recover from the
snakebite and will reduce the possibility of unfavorable interactions
between the vaccine and any residual venom.
How old should a puppy be before being
vaccinated? Can elderly dogs be vaccinated?
There have been no reports of any age-related
adverse effects due to this vaccine in healthy dogs vaccinated as young
as four months or in elderly dogs. Because we do not have any
information on the vaccination of puppies that are younger than four
months we do not recommend vaccination of puppies in this age group.
Regardless of age, the vaccine should only be administered to healthy
dogs.
Can I use this vaccine
for my cat?
Our research suggests that the rattlesnake
vaccine may actually work better in cats than in dogs. However, since
the vaccine is not specifically licensed for use in cats, a veterinarian
must determine if it can be administered to your cat. If you think your
cat is likely to encounter rattlesnakes, discuss the potential risks and
benefits of the vaccine with your veterinarian.
Can I use this
vaccine for my horse?
This vaccine was not formulated for horses and
we do not have any data supporting the use of this vaccine in horses. We
are currently developing a modified version of the rattlesnake vaccine
for horses.
Where can I get the
vaccine?
The vaccine is only available through
veterinarians. Your regular veterinarian knows your dog's health
history, and is the best person to call to obtain the vaccine for your
dog.
How much does the
vaccine cost?
Call our front desk to inquire about the cost
of rattlesnake immunizations.
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