Worth it or not?

Moving back to Texas outside of Decatur from New Mexico (rural, mountain New Mexico…not ABQ etc)…and we have plenty of rattlesnakes here.

Our vet does not recommend them and basically states that the dogs will require the same protocol whether vaccine or not, and that they do not really work.

Dogs are huskies and a short haired border collie…if that makes a difference.

So, I thought I would elicit some advice here so we can plan to either get the shots when we get there, or skip that for awhile at least.

Thanks.

My vet told me that it might buy some extra time if they hit on the wrong place but that's about it so o don't do it. Our standard ranch treatment is to take the collar off if they hit in head or high chest/neck.
I'll probably try the Benadryl thing if I get a bog bitten again.

https://www.snakebitefoundation.org/blog/2023/6/13/veterinary-experts-do-not-recommend-the-rattlesnake-vaccine

Thanks. Makes sense.

I don't vaccinate my personal bird dogs with rattlesnake vaccine. They have each had several rounds of snake avoidance.

agvet13 said:

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I would highly recommend snake avoidance training instead.

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Any recommendations for this service in the North Houston area? A friend asked the other day.

I took my lab 7 years ago when he was a year old. Can't make him get near a snake to this day. Same with a coffee pot in my hand… Once was all it took.

Does that include the snakes loose in the well house?

I'm a Veterinarian and recommend the vaccine. Over the past 30 years we've had two rattlers in our backyard. I even vaccinated our primarily indoor poodle because if she got bit while going out to go to the bathroom I would never forgive myself for not doing all that I could to protect her.

Dogs are vaccinated, we have plenty of rattlers, copperheads, and moccasins. After the initial vaccine, it's about $25 a year. Dog got bit last April on the weekend….different "emergency " vet recommended anti-venom….we just gave some much cheaper benedryl and dog was fine. Saved many hundreds as compared to "same protocol" as unvaccinated.

The experts I follow at National Snakebite Support (who I believe are some of the top toxicologists in the country) do not recommend the vaccine and also state that Benadryl is not helpful, and can even be harmful in that it can conceal other symptoms.

"All we can do is continue to reshare the information and hope it eventually sticks!

Vaccine

NSS does not recommend the snakebite vaccine (rattlesnake toxoid) for dogs. It has not been demonstrated to help, and it may cause harm. Click the link below to read a detailed article by Kimberly Wyatt, MS with Asclepius Snakebite Foundation.

There is NO published data supporting the efficacy of the vaccine in dogs. Adverse reactions following vaccination, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) also released a statement highlighting the lack of evidence of vaccine (toxoid) efficacy. You can also find on the vaccine manufacturer's own website in small print that efficacy and potency have not been demonstrated."

https://www.snakebitefoundation.org/blog/2023/6/13/veterinary-experts-do-not-recommend-the-rattlesnake-vaccine

I don't have any professional experience with this, this is just what my own research has led to.

I am a Vet and practice near Decatur in Bridgeport. We recommend the vaccine because it give you the time to get to a clinic or ER if your dog get hit by a big rattler.

email me at Jeff at bridgeportanimal dot com

if you have any questions

That's what my vet told me. It won't necessarily save them but it will buy you extra time to get medical help. Then again my vet knows I'm at least an hour from a vet at the ranch.

My personal observations is to vaccinate when in at risk areas. Period.

Current recommendations are no longer to give the vaccine, and I believe it's even been taken out of production? It used to be recommended for the reasons stated above but recent studies show reactions to the antivenom can happen if they've been vaccinated. The antivenom has improved significantly in cost and availability since 20 years ago, and is the mainstay in treatment.
I recommend joining the national snakebite page on Facebook, great advice.
Vet in Montgomery

Heard same thing from my vet in Burnet, that the vaccine has halted production. If we wanted it hurry with animals when it's out it's out.

aggie4christ22 said:

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Current recommendations are no longer to give the vaccine, and I believe it's even been taken out of production? It used to be recommended for the reasons stated above but recent studies show reactions to the antivenom can happen if they've been vaccinated. The antivenom has improved significantly in cost and availability since 20 years ago, and is the mainstay in treatment.
I recommend joining the national snakebite page on Facebook, great advice.
Vet in Montgomery

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Very helpful…thank you.

Thanks for all of the advice.


Harley, thanks for showing my bride around a few months ago. I owe y'all dinner.

Now, hopefully my bride will be looking for a vet in about 6 weeks.