Rattlesnake vaccine - Page 1

Have any of you had any experience or information on the rattlesnake vaccine by RedRock? The little bastards are mostly dormant right now but I'm considering getting the series for my little monster before spring. My husband killed a four footer last month a couple hundred yards from the house. GGGAAAAWWWWDDDD I hate 'em! Any feedback? Thanks.

I've found that the best vaccine for the Estern Diamondbacks and Copperheads around here come in 12 or 20 gauge.

MOVE!!! Between the snakes and cactice why the hell would you live there??? Oh yes the poop kibble crumbles. All worth it in the end.

Rattlesnakes are beautiful creatures, how can anyone kill them? :(

PSP=Around here that just pisses 'em off. 4pack-It was sixty five and sunny today. That's why. Brittany-you take a really sharp shovel and you slice their evil, red eyed head right off their twisting fat body and watch them writhe in agony. Then you crush their skull with a rock if at all possible. That's how. Wait till you see one of these four or five foot sonofabitches two hundred yards from where your kids and dogs play and tell me how freaking beautiful they are. Easy to be a bleeding heart about 'em when you don't worry about having one of your children killed. Ok, back to business. Does anyone seriously have any info on this though?

I have heard from other dog people and my vet that the rattlesnake vaccine is problematic. Unfortunately I don't remember why. Hopefully another poster can fill us in. Brittany - would you consider an alligator beautiful as it ate your puppy or chomped on your dog? Same kind of scenario. Most all things are beautiful in one way or another. Doesn't mean I want to live with them - for example black widows.

Brittany, How? Easily when they are on your Turf! Simple Fact, my Dogs come first! When I set up my dogs kiddy pools in the summer and the Rattlers arrive, out comes the 32 Ruger! No doubt about it. As far as using the vaccine prior to a bite? Don't think I'd consider that. Wouldn't consider it on a human, so, why a dog? I would only consider taking a dog in, if bitten for the anti venom. Here we have a specialist that comes to town every year and for $55.00 per dog, they hold a 4 hour course in teaching dogs to back off from snakes. They use live rattlers, rattle recordings, simulated rattlers and even E-collars and after the course, your dog is rattler "proof". This I find the best solution. TRU

We have used it in our clinic the last couple years, only had one reaction in which the dog developed a large seroma that needed to be drained at the injection site. As far as efficacy-one client had lost a dog to a rattlesnake, had another dog he used antivenom on (very hard to come by here, must get it at the hospital if they have enough and then pay $900!) The last dog had the recommended two vaccines 3 weeks apart and then was bit on the muzzle the following week. Had some swelling on the face but that was it, we put in on antibiotics to prevent infection and the dog did fine. That is the only time I have seen it tested but it worked great for that dog.

Thank you all for the input. TRU I am taking my youngest for the rattlesnake avoidance classes for sure. The other two are never out of the yard unless they are on leash with me. So that should definately be good for those two. The youngest (ten months) is going to hopefully be my SAR dog. Unfortunately the tracking work is during the night when it's hot weather because that's when the scent is the best. Also when rattlers are most active. The avoidance training is definately worth the money. Just not enough for my comfort. Not for SAR. That's a pretty common feeling on the team but not with everyone. As for myself, I use snake chaps. Not hot, not stiff. Very comfortable and stops cactus too. I want to give him every advantage too. My vet is in favor of vaccine for dogs that are hiking partners, crosscountry running partners, hunters, that sort of thing. I just wanted to know if anyone else had any experience with it. VBK9 that is what I've heard as well. Also there are times when there just isn't any antivenen. Good input. Thanks.

dawgs it was 57 and sunny here in Cali, no cacti, no snakes where I am at! ;) I'll eat the 8 degrees anyday. I don't do scorpions or fuzzy spiders either.