Rattlesnake Shot - Page 1

I live in central TX, and last September my then 9 month old male gsd was hit by a rattlesnake near his left hock.  I immediately got him to the vet.  All is well with my boy except for scarring where no hair will grow and a little swelling around the hock. 

Does anyone administer the rattlesnake shot to his/her dogs?  The shot is not antivenom, but is supposed to reduce the level of pain and tissue damage associated with envenomation.    Am considering giving the shot before spring, have done research, but would like to hear your experiences.

kathy

Snake handlers do it.
Do you really have that many Rattle snakes?  
What about for yourself or your family.  
Its my understanding that you have to give these shots with some regularity to build up resistance.
You would have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself I think. 

Its funny now but I kept a Timber Rattler for a couple of years and almost was bitten twice feeding him, my local hospitol had no anti-venom only the DNR had access to it locally.

Copperheads here are more deadly and they give no warning.  Horse trails are usually where people see the most snakes here.    I don't know anyone who uses any kind of shots for this here.
Our Rattlers (two species) are considered endangered and are protected.
Copperheads , kill them when you can.
Glad your dog survived, I've always heard they fare better than humans.

...anyone else start thinking about, "Natural Born Killers"???

Such a vaccination protocol is a good idea if rattlesnakes live where you live. It could save your dogs' life. 

I made the decision to get the rattlesnake shots for our dog as we live in a rural area where they are very common and he is a very curious dog who is drawn to the noise and shows no fear.

We discussed the pros and cons with our vet as we do with any treatment or preventative care we are considering. The vet advised us that he still should be brought in for observation should he be bitten by a rattlesnake but that it would be unlikely that he would require the anti venom in most cases.

For me it is a preventative measure I can take - where I live it is in my opinion as essential as heartworm medication and his shots. If I lived elsewhere and didn't exercise my dog in an area where they were I wouldn't find it necessary.

Maxine

Once youre Immunized,  you are protected.
"Boosters' are money making entities for Medical companies. Not necessary. Anti Bodies & Immunity doesnt 'build up'

There is a Vaccine for the rattlesnakes, popular with Sporting dog owners. Well worth it
You can also have your dog 'snake proofed' with a pro. I think they use a Bull Snake or a duct taped rattler and administer a strong electrical current when your dog gets to close.  Works very well.

All rattlesnakes are bad news and with venom released are often fatal. 
Moccasins or copper heads, not so much.

 Each time a dog is bitten, they build up an immunity.  When I lived in Colorado, some of my dogs would get bit every summer by Rattlers. We have had Rattlers in the house several times. I walked trains along the old Mo Pac lines from Colorado to Kansas. I ran into Rattlers almost every trip in the summer. At night, the snakes lay inside the rail. The rail keeps warm at night from the hot sun during the day. Rattlers also love to curl up around switches.

 Keep some Vit-C and Benadryl on hand. Cases have been reported where high doses of Vitamin C, 4000mg. ASAP and 6000mg every 6hrs has saved the lives of many Snake bitten dogs.

When I first moved to Rattler infested Prowers County, it was in the month of June. It was then I met my dear little friend Monty Mills aka "Fuzz" RIP.  Fuzz was all upset as he thought he may have to put his dog down. The dog had been bitten in the nose by a big Rattler. Fuzz was crying and thought he should shoot his dog. The dog's eyes were swollen shut, and his head was like a basketball. I assured Fuzz, we could get his dog through it. I gave his boy a big shot of Combi-Pen-48, some Vit C, and a few very stinky weeks later, the dog was good as new.
 

Abha

Abhay,

Sorry....I really fat fingered the first attempt at a reply.  Thanks for the tip about the Vitamin C and Benadryl.  I am going to get my dogs the rattlesnake shot as a precaution, and ensure I keep plenty of vitamin c on hand.