MVons
06-25-2007, 07:17 PM
As mentioned on another thread there is a rattlesnake vaccine made from the western diamond back.
My vet reported he has given 20 shots. A Vet in Banning area - more snakes there - has given 100 shots. No adverse reaction to the shot.
But none of these have gotten bit to truly know the benefit. The problem is that the anti-venom costs $500 a vial so no Vet in Hemet area stocks it. This is his price to give you an idea of what a hospital would charge for stocking it. Only the emergency hospital has it. He says all the Vets treat with antihistamine and something else so he doesn't know if the vaccination helps when you only treat with antihistamine not anti-venom.
He said a large dog recovers fine without the anti-venom. He didn't discuss small dogs because he personally hasn't treated any. Because we have never found a snake on our property, we aren't getting the vaccination. But it sure is good information that if ours did get bit, we could give Bennadryl for the 45 minute drive to the Vet. I think I will ask him what dose to have on hand as my son has to take it when he has a skin reaction and we keep a bottle on hand of the product.
If we get to a point of hiking with our dog, then we will get the vaccination. The vaccination is $38 as of this point in time.
Merrie
My vet reported he has given 20 shots. A Vet in Banning area - more snakes there - has given 100 shots. No adverse reaction to the shot.
But none of these have gotten bit to truly know the benefit. The problem is that the anti-venom costs $500 a vial so no Vet in Hemet area stocks it. This is his price to give you an idea of what a hospital would charge for stocking it. Only the emergency hospital has it. He says all the Vets treat with antihistamine and something else so he doesn't know if the vaccination helps when you only treat with antihistamine not anti-venom.
He said a large dog recovers fine without the anti-venom. He didn't discuss small dogs because he personally hasn't treated any. Because we have never found a snake on our property, we aren't getting the vaccination. But it sure is good information that if ours did get bit, we could give Bennadryl for the 45 minute drive to the Vet. I think I will ask him what dose to have on hand as my son has to take it when he has a skin reaction and we keep a bottle on hand of the product.
If we get to a point of hiking with our dog, then we will get the vaccination. The vaccination is $38 as of this point in time.
Merrie