What You Should Know About Rattlesnake Bites, Your Dog, and Vaccination Colorado is a rattlesnake habitat and there is a reasonable risk for dogs to be bitten by a rattlesnake in the warmer months when they are most active.  Every year, we see dogs that have been bitten within a ten mile radius of our facility.  Rattlesnakes often take up residence around rock outcroppings, in prairie dog holes, grassy areas, and even residential yards, driveways, garages, and sheds.  They are also found along wetlands, desert terrain, and forests. They often strike without warning, and their bite can be very painful and is often fatal.  In some cases, the dog may survive but have a permanent injury due to the toxicity of the venom. Survival of a rattlesnake bite depends on many variables, including how quickly the dog receives emergency care, the amount of venom the dog received through the bite, the potency of the venom, the body part affected, the age and size of the rattlesnake, the age and size of the dog, and whether the dog was vaccinated.

Symptoms Of A Bite Rattlesnake venom is a complex mixture of toxins that spread throughout the body after a bite, causing necrosis of body tissue, neurological damage, and organ failure.  While symptoms of a bite can vary, the most common signs are pain and swelling at the site where the bite occurred -- usually two fang marks will be visible and in extreme cases, the tissue surrounding the fang marks will turn black within the first 30 minutes.  Other symptoms can soon follow, including hyper-salivation, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, panting, high body temperature, rapid heart beat, paralysis, shock, and loss of consciousness.  If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a rattlesnake, whether it has any of these symptoms or not, seek medical care immediately.  A rattlesnake bite is always an emergency.   Do not waste time attempting to suck out the venom or chase down the snake.  The sooner your dog receives professional medical care, the better its chances for survival.  We recommend that you call your veterinarian while en route to the veterinary facility, so the medical team will have time to prepare for your dog's arrival.   How We Treat Them  Treatment of a rattlesnake bite may include several things, but the most common course is to administer intravenous fluids and anti-venin upon the dog's arrival.  Pain medications may also be given.  In extreme cases, hospitalization and/or surgery may be required.     Treating a rattlesnake bite can also be very expensive.   An anti-venin injection at our facility costs $800.00, and when added to the other costs for IV fluids, medications, surgery, and hospitalization, it can end up being $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 or more.   Preventing a bite from occuring is always best and below are several recommendations.   Preventing Bites You can help to prevent a rattlesnake bite by taking the following precautions:  ♦ Always keep your dog on a lead no longer than six feet and at your side at all times while out on walks or runs.  Dogs are by nature curious of their surroundings and can be bitten by a snake while sniffing behind a rock or in foliage along the side of the trail or sidewalk.  ♦ Stay on open paths where there is a better opportunity for snakes to be visible.  We have had reports of rattlers sunning themselves on the middle of the path of the Bluff Trail near our facility, but because they were visible, they were avoided.   ♦ Always supervise your dog while outside in your yard.  One of our client's dogs was bitten in Highlands Ranch while playing outside in its fenced yard. ♦ Never allow your dog to explore prairie dog holes, as rattlesnakes often live in them when they're abandoned.  Last year, we treated a dog that had been bitten by a rattlesnake living in a prairie dog hole in a Highlands Ranch open space area. ♦ Never allow your dog to run loose unsupervised anywhere.  As for dog parks, be very careful to keep a close eye on your dog at all times.     ♦ If you come upon a rattlesnake or hear one, keep your dog close at your side and carefully move away. ♦ Consider having your dog vaccinated, as it will stimulate your dog's immunity to help it defend against the venomous toxins, should your dog be bitten.

More About Vaccination For the past four years, we have offered a rattlesnake vaccine for dogs.  This vaccine has also been in use for some time  in California, Arizona and Nevada, where the incidence of snake bites is high.  Reports from veterinarians in those states have been favorable regarding the vaccine's effectiveness in helping dogs survive a bite.  To receive the vaccine at our facility, dogs must be at least four months old and healthy, and have had a physical exam with one of our veterinarians within the past six months.  One of our veterinarians must authorize the vaccination prior to it being given.  The vaccination protocol involves two or three initial doses, depending on the dog’s weight, the very first time the dog receives the vaccine.  Each dose is given four weeks apart.  All doses must be given for the vaccine to be effective.  An annual spring booster vaccination is recommended each year thereafter, to maintain the effectiveness of the vaccine.      Cost of Vaccination:     For dogs 1 - 25lbs……..…$75.00  (3 initial doses required)    For dogs 26 - 99lbs…….…...$50.00  (2 initial doses required)    For dogs 100lbs. or more….$75.00  (3 initial doses required)   Cost of Annual Booster:       For all dogs......$25.00 (must be given in the spring of each following year)  Cost With Physical Exam:   Add $64.00     Other Things To Keep In Mind About Vaccination Because there are so many variables involved, vaccination is not a guarantee that a dog will survive a rattlesnake bite.  A bite on a major artery by a very potent young snake may not be survivable, regardless of vaccination and immediate emergency care.  It is important to note that a vaccinated dog that is bitten will still need immediate emergency care and, possibly, the administration of anti-venin.  It still has, however, a better chance to survive and recover without long-term residual effects.  Anti-Venin Supplies This Year As of now, we have anti-venin in stock.  Last year, along with several other veterinary facilities in Colorado, we had difficulty getting it from the manufacturer due to increased demand in the southwestern states.  We're hoping things will be better this year.  Regardless, preventing a snake bite from occurring by taking precautions when outdoors is always best, and vaccination is also an option you may wish to consider.    We encourage you to discuss your dog's lifestyle and vaccination needs with one of our veterinarians, as they can help you decide if vaccination will be a good preventive choice for your dog.