Rattle Snakes

[Excel]

Can anyone please post information regarding dogs being bitten by rattlers...Grandson's beautiful Lab was bitten yesterday while he was bird hunting...As Thomas was not in an area familiar to him, he had to frantically find a Vet. Vet was not one of those that are a lover of animals (don't know why he's practicing in that field with the attitude he had)...Thomas called & said they (office) were calling around for a venum treatment....He said they wouldn't accept a credit card & so he had to find an open bank to drain his bank account ... looking at close to $1,000. or more...Haven't been able to reach him since last night....Any info any of you can post would be so appreciated...This Lab is one of those golden beauties with fine manners & a gentle demeanor....would break all of our hearts should she not survive...Not knowing anything about this sort of tragedy is so hard...praying a lot...............

[mitch5252]

Treatment of rattlesnake bites with antivenin

Antivenin is produced by repeatedly injecting horses with rattlesnake venom, gradually building up their immunity. Rattlesnake antivenin is concentrated immune serum from horses.

The first time a dog receives this serum, no matter how much is given, it is unlikely there will be any serious reaction. However some dogs become hypersensitized to horse serum after receiving even a single dose. If a dog is bitten again and receives a second dose of antivenin, he could die from a hypersensitivity reaction.

Placerville Veterinary Clinic was once the only small animal practice between Sacramento and Tahoe. We saw a lot of rattlesnake bites, sometimes several over a long holiday weekend. Most dogs did not receive antivenin. In all those years, we had only three deaths associated with rattlesnake bites. One was a little old dachshund. She had been bitten on her chest and nobody realized this until it was too late. The other was a big German Shepherd who had been bitten previously and treated with antivenin. She received a second dose of antivenin and died approximately thirty seconds later.

The third dog was bitten on the tongue. Any rattlesnake bite, especially to an extremity, is likely to cause a slough - tissue dies in the immediate area of the bite, slowly turns black and falls off. In nearly all cases this slough eventually fills with new tissue and the dog does fine. Unfortunately, even after healing, this third dog couldn't eat or drink well enough to manage on its own and had to be euthanized.

Moral of the story:

Rattlesnake bites are much more serious when small dogs are bitten, or when the tongue, lip, or eyelid areas are involved. Cases such as these should be treated aggressively and treatment should include antivenin.

The vast majority of snakebite cases can be treated without the use of antivenin. A dog that has received antivenin in the past, (and is probably not in mortal danger from a rattlesnake bite anyway) should, in our opinion, never again receive antivenin unless bitten in the tongue, lip, or eyelid areas.

Cats are much more resistant to rattlesnake bite than dogs. Cats need supportive care, but we do not administer antivenin. We have not seen fatalities or permanent damage from snakebite in cats.

[mitch5252]

Rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats.

They are found in wetlands, deserts and forests, from sea level to mountain elevations. Rattlesnakes are most active in warmer seasons, from Spring to Autumn. In southern latitudes they are occasionally found year-round.
Dogs are at risk for rattlesnake bite.

Dogs can encounter a rattlesnake anytime they are in rattlesnake habitat. You and your dog may live in rattlesnake habitat. Perhaps you travel through or frequently visit places where rattlesnakes are found. Maybe rattlesnakes are around when you take your dog hiking, camping or hunting. Like people, dogs may stumble over the location of a snake by accident. Curiosity or a protective instinct can place your dog at risk. In each case, vaccination helps to protect her.
Damage caused by rattlesnake bite can be serious.

When injected into an unprotected dog, the toxic components of snake venom are very painful and can have serious consequences. Even if your dog survives the immediate effects of a rattlesnake bite, she can be permanently injured.
Treatment of rattlesnake bite is expensive.

Treatment of snakebite may include antivenom injections which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Use of antivenom is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects which can complicate a dog’s recovery. Other costs of snakebite treatment may include hospitalization, intravenous fluids or other medicines. Vaccination is safer than antivenom treatment. Vaccination can reduce the overall effects of snakebite, reduce or eliminate the need for antivenom, and decrease other treatment costs as well.
Protocol for prevention.

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.
The vaccine stimulates your dog's own immunity.

This process makes vaccination safer than antivenom treatment. Protective antibodies made by your dog in response to the vaccine start neutralizing venom immediately. On average, antibody levels in recently vaccinated dogs are comparable to treatment with three vials of antivenom. This means vaccinated dogs should experience less pain and a reduced risk of permanent injury from rattlesnake bite.
Snakebite is always an emergency.

Even after your dog is vaccinated against rattlesnake venom, she should be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and care as soon as possible following snakebite. Even bites by non-venomous snakes can lead to serious infections and antibiotic treatment may be needed. A veterinarian can determine if your dog is sufficiently protected for the specific type of snake involved and the amount of venom injected, or whether additional medical treatment would be helpful.
There are many different poisonous snakes.

Red Rock Biologics is developing a variety of vaccines to provide the best protection against poisonous snakes for dogs in each part of the country. Ask your veterinarian which available vaccine formulation is best for your dog.

[Forestgal]

Awww, I'm sooo sorry!

I don't know what to say except that I'll keep praying and hope that all turns out well.

I don't know how close you are to UC Davis, but they're one of the best vet schools in the nation. Maybe a phone call to them would help.

Please let us know how the pup is doing.

Laura -- and Jed