Rattlesnake Vaccine

seazr · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: Rattlesnake Vaccine

I'm sure many of you know about this but in case you don't, there is a rattlesnake vaccine available. It has its pros and cons but I decided to deal with the cons when my lab, Seazr, decided there was nothing in the world more fun than sticking his head in every gopher hole in search of ground squirrels! The biggest con to the vaccine that I have found is overconfidence--you can't be totally sure it's going to work. You should still use avoidance as your first defense, and in the unfortunate chance your dog winds up on the wrong end of a rattlesnake, you MUST still seek medical attention. The vaccine merely reduces the effects of a snakebite; it does not eliminate them. Anyway, Sacramento is not an issue but Eagle Lake (our vacation house) is in rattlesnake country and is very remote--the first small town is almost an hour drive. I'll take the chance on anything that can buy me some extra time. Sooo, Friday Dakota gets pricked!
Diane (and Dakota)

JettsMom · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:

Diane..... I want you to still be cautious in Sacramento. Here is a picture of a Sacramento County Wink

Rattle Snake I caught in my back yard. The one that bit my little cocker girl Halo, didn't live long enough to get his picture taken. Twisted Evil

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Vicky (Jett and Copper)

seazr · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject:

Yes, good point. And poor Halo! Did she do allright?
Diane (and Dakota)

Jac · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject:

Yes, these snakes are everywhere! We have them in our area too...I was raised in Utah and in southern Utah there were tons of them...I collected rattlers (from the tail of dead ones) when I was a kid. Confused

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jacque.bayley.lexie.chase.rosie.nitos.amelia.dupree.madison.sherwood.gerry www.backporchlabradoodles-jacque.blogspot.com www.backporchlabradoodles.com

JettsMom · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

Halo did fine after a couple of days in intensive care for treatment. It sure was scary though.
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Vicky (Jett and Copper)

gracielou · Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

We don't have rattlers here that I know of maybe over in eastern KS they might I know Dixie has them in Texas there are even people down there that come over for a fee and teach your dog to stay away from them. But it is good to know there is a vaccine for them.
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Linda & Gracielou
Valley Center, KS
http://www.4pawspuppies.com