Spring Has Sprung! Time for … Rattlesnakes?

Spring is here! As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I’m giddy with excitement with our fabulous weather while all my family members are still hunkered down dealing with snow and blistering cold. Those poor people. And just when I was starting to feel smug (ha, ha who was the smart one to move out to California, etc, etc), the rattlesnakes hit. What?!?
Our weather warmed up in a big way, and rattlesnakes are out and about. We have already had our first rattlesnake bites of the season. Rattlesnakes are most active in the Spring. They are coming out from hibernation, searching for food, and looking for mates. These activities also tend to make snakes more aggressive this time of year. Dogs and cats tend to be curious and like to hunt things. Rattlesnakes have several protective mechanisms and will try to flee or warn before striking. Unfortunately, rattling doesn’t necessarily scare off most of our pets. This is how my dogs would react: cool rattling noise, must investigate!
Rattlesnakes are in the pit viper family. Pit vipers have retractable fangs and can choose how much venom to deliver in a bite. Clinical signs can be seen within 30 minutes, but may take several hours to develop. This means that any rattlesnake bite should be treated as an emergency and brought to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Signs include painful tissue swelling, bleeding from the bite wounds, weakness, nausea, vomiting, muscle trembling, and seizures. The venom can cause blood clotting disorders, tissue destruction, and heart problems. Veterinarians can use antivenin to combat the dangerous venom, but the earlier it is given, the more effective it is.
There is a rattlesnake vaccine that can be given to dogs. The vaccine works two ways: first, it reduces the severity of the symptoms seen with a rattlesnake bite and two, acts to delay the onset of symptoms. This buys you time to get to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Dogs who have received the rattlesnake vaccine still need treatment.
So, go out and enjoy our beautiful weather, but keep an eye out for those snakes!
Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center is located at 25832 Hemingway Avenue in Santa Clarita. For more information, please call 661-799-0655 and visit www.srvc.com.