Ask Dr. Audrey: Rattlesnake Vaccine?
August 30, 2011 by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Filed under Health, Tips
Dear Dr. Audrey,
I live about 20 minutes from the veterinarian’s office and about 40 minutes from the emergency vet’s office in a very rural area that has rattlesnakes. Would you recommend getting the rattlesnake vaccine for my dogs? My dogs are often indoors but have access to the fenced yard. Is the rattlesnake vaccine effective for any other kind of poisonous snake bites?
The rattlesnake vaccine has been available for many years, but there are no controlled studies proving that it is effective, and how long immunity to snake bites lasts. However, veterinarians who have treated dogs with snake bite have noted that the dogs have had milder symptoms, and recover quicker. It’s very subjective, because different dogs react to snake bites differently, and there is also a lot of variation in how much venom is injected with each bite.
There are risks associated with any vaccines, and with this vaccine, a small percentage of dogs will develop a sterile abscess at the injection site. There have also been very few incidences of itchy hives on the skin and anaphylactic reactions (severe allergic reactions), so keep that in mind too.
Ultimately it’s up to you whether you feel your dogs are at enough risk to warrant a vaccine. No vaccine is 100% effective. This vaccine won’t stop you dogs getting sick if they are bitten, but it may buy you a bit more time to get them to the vet. They will need an initial series of two vaccines, then yearly boosters.
According to the vaccine manufacturer, it offers protection against Western Diamond Rattlesnake, Western Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Timber Rattlesnake, Massasauga and the Copperhead. It offers partial protection against the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. However, keep in mind my comment that there have been no scientific studies in dogs, so if your dogs are unlucky enough to be bitten, they still need immediate veterinary care.
Every week we run a column from Dr. Harvey. If you have a question about your dog’s health, send in a question on our Ask Dr. Harvey form!
The purpose of this column is to educate. DogTipper shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this site. This column does not replace the importance of specific advice from your own veterinarian. If you have any concerns at all about your dog’s health, please make an appointment with your vet.
About Paris Permenter and John Bigley
DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.
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