The Santa Clarita Valley has prime real estate for the rattlesnake; however these venomous reptiles have an incredibly painful and deadly bite. Their bites result in serious injury or even death in approximately 300,000 dogs and cats each year in the United States. Rattlesnakes can be found anywhere from your backyard to hiking trails around the area and are typically more active in the warmer months, from April to October.
If bitten, the snake’s venom causes an immediate reaction in the pet with local and regional soft tissue swelling, pain and sloughing, and can lead to serious systemic effects including bleeding/coagulation abnormalities. Thankfully, the rattlesnake vaccine was created to help slow down these processes. The vaccine helps create an immunity that protects against rattlesnake venom and the protective antibodies function by neutralizing the venom. Dogs with protective antibodies are reported to experience less pain and have reduced risk of permanent injury from the rattlesnake bite. It is important to note that this vaccine is not a cure all. It only gives you time to get to a hospital with your pet to be treated as it slows down the venomous process. All dogs should be taken immediately to a veterinarian to be treated if bitten by a rattlesnake, regardless if they have been vaccinated or not.
Dogs can receive the vaccine as early as four months old. The vaccine is given as an initial series of two vaccines, one month apart, and then is boostered annually. Depending on the size of the dog however, sometimes three boosters may be needed. Dogs that are 25 pounds and under will need three boosters four weeks apart as they are more susceptible to envenomation injury. These boosters help maximize their antibody protection. Dogs that are 100 pounds and over will also need three boosters given four weeks apart. This is because their large size doesn’t allow them to acquire a high antibody level as easily.
The best prevention of course is to avoid the snakes in the first place. Being aware of you and your dog’s surroundings on walks and hikes and keeping your dog on a leash will help avoid any unintentional contact.
Cinema Veterinary Centre is located at 23460 Cinema Drive, suite L in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-253-9300.