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PetTalk: Rattlesnake vaccine effective?
This column is written by Dr. Paula Tyler, DVM, of Benson Animal Hospital. If you have a question about a pet, send it to PetTalk, San Pedro Valley News- Sun, 200 S. Ocotillo Ave., Benson, 85602.
Q: I read something about a rattlesnake vaccine. Can you explain what this is and if it is effective?
A: The Rattlesnake vaccine was developed in California to alleviate some of the side effects of the rattlesnake bite. However, every rattlesnake bite is different depending on the amount of venom, the location of the bite, and the size of the pet so it is difficult to design a perfect vaccine. The vaccine is about as effective as one dose of antivenin and will usually give you enough time to get to a veterinary hospital. This is a big advantage in our rural area.
The vaccine has few side effects, the most common of which is a swelling at the vaccine site. The initial vaccine requires a booster four weeks later. After that you need to booster the vaccine every six months. While the vaccine is helpful, I strongly recommend Rattlesnake Avoidance Training as an affordable and very effective way to prevent snake bites.
Q: I read something about a rattlesnake vaccine. Can you explain what this is and if it is effective?
A: The Rattlesnake vaccine was developed in California to alleviate some of the side effects of the rattlesnake bite. However, every rattlesnake bite is different depending on the amount of venom, the location of the bite, and the size of the pet so it is difficult to design a perfect vaccine. The vaccine is about as effective as one dose of antivenin and will usually give you enough time to get to a veterinary hospital. This is a big advantage in our rural area.
The vaccine has few side effects, the most common of which is a swelling at the vaccine site. The initial vaccine requires a booster four weeks later. After that you need to booster the vaccine every six months. While the vaccine is helpful, I strongly recommend Rattlesnake Avoidance Training as an affordable and very effective way to prevent snake bites.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
JT wrote on Aug 19, 2010 12:08 PM:
" Per the manafacturer's website, "On average, antibody levels in recently vaccinated dogs are comparable to treatment with three vials of antivenom. " "
JT wrote on Aug 19, 2010 12:47 PM:
" If you search on "Red Rock Biologics" or "Rattlesnake Vaccine" there is this additional information:
"SNAKE SPECIES PROTECTION:
The vaccine will not protect against coral snakes, cottonmouth snakes, or the Mojave rattlesnake. It has limited protection against the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Red Rock has conducted a survey and received hundreds of rattlesnake bite reports from vet clinics across the country indicating that the vaccine helps protect dogs from many different species and subspecies of rattlesnakes."
While the most previlant rattlesnakes in Cochise County are the Western Diamondback and Mojave Rattlesnake, my research indicates that these snakes venom contain both neurotoxic (nerve) and hemotoxic (blood) toxins. The Mojave Green Rattlesnake which is a smaller subspecies found only in the Mojave desert in California contains a cardiotoxin (stops the heart) for which no antivenon exists. I think the mojave green subspecies may be the previlant exception, although the mojave rattlesnake has a very high level and quantity of neurotoxin in it's venom as does the Eastern Diamondback for which the vaccine has limited protection. "
"SNAKE SPECIES PROTECTION:
The vaccine will not protect against coral snakes, cottonmouth snakes, or the Mojave rattlesnake. It has limited protection against the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Red Rock has conducted a survey and received hundreds of rattlesnake bite reports from vet clinics across the country indicating that the vaccine helps protect dogs from many different species and subspecies of rattlesnakes."
While the most previlant rattlesnakes in Cochise County are the Western Diamondback and Mojave Rattlesnake, my research indicates that these snakes venom contain both neurotoxic (nerve) and hemotoxic (blood) toxins. The Mojave Green Rattlesnake which is a smaller subspecies found only in the Mojave desert in California contains a cardiotoxin (stops the heart) for which no antivenon exists. I think the mojave green subspecies may be the previlant exception, although the mojave rattlesnake has a very high level and quantity of neurotoxin in it's venom as does the Eastern Diamondback for which the vaccine has limited protection. "
Paula Tyler DVM wrote on Aug 20, 2010 7:26 PM:
" To answer JT about the 6 month vaccination protical: Here in Cochise County we have a long rattlesnake season. We start to see snakes in March and can see them through November. If the snake season is less that 6 months then a yearly booster at the start of the season is fine.
This vaccine does not protect against Mohave rattlesnake bites which are very serious and likely deadly. "
This vaccine does not protect against Mohave rattlesnake bites which are very serious and likely deadly. "
JC wrote on Aug 18, 2010 9:36 AM:
This is the vaccination schedule the developer of the vaccine recommends, directly from Red Rock Biologics:
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. "