Rattlesnake Bites

With the immerging sunshine-filed days and warmer temperatures, our pets are not the only creatures enjoying the thaw of winter. Rattlesnakes are coming out of their hibernation dens from the cold winter and are seeking warmth and food. Although rare, there have been snake bites reported around Mad Creek Trail, Sleeping Giant, Emerald Mountain and out near Mt. Harris. The best way to prevent a snake bite is to limit exposure to snake areas. Leashing dogs in these popular areas is advised.

If your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Snakes prefer to live in quiet, dark areas; wood piles are popular nesting spots. Just because your animal has been bitten once doesn't mean they have learned to avoid snakes.

Symptoms
  • Rapid swelling at the site of the bite
  • Intense pain
  • Oozing blood from the fang marks
  • Drooling
  • Rapid breathing
  • Dilated pupils
  • Pale gums
  • Weakness or collapseTreatment

Do Not:
  • Try to suck poison out of the wound: human saliva contains lots of bacteria that may result in sever infection. Use of suction equiptment generally causes harm to the surrounding tissue and the injected poison is rapidly dispersed into circulation.
  • Apply a tourniquet: this can cause tissue damage by the decreased circulation
  • Apply ice packs, cold-packing of the swelling is contraindicated. The area around the bite wound is already devoid of normal blood flow and ice will cause further vasoconstriction and potentially lead to death of the skin.

Do:

  • Go to your veterinarian immediately!
  • Immobilize the area and if at all possible, carry the animal instead of allowing her to walk.
  • Limit pet activity and movement: The more calm your pet is the less effective the venom will be.

Basics About the Rattlesnake Vaccine

  • Initial vaccination is given in 2 doses 3 to 6 weeks apart. Dogs over 100 lbs and dogs under 30 lbs in body weight need 3 doses 3 to 6 weeks apart.
  • Annual boosters are best given approximately one month before snake season starts in the spring. Dogs who live where snake season is year round or where they hike year round should have boosters every 6 months. If a vaccine is skipped, the initial vaccination protocol should be re-started.
  • Vaccination is safe during pregnancy and lactation, and for puppies 4 months of age and older.
  • Vaccination reactions occur in 0.27% of cases (27 per 10,000 doses given) and are largely limited to swelling at the vaccine site occurring 7 to 10 days after vaccination. This is particularly true for dogs with a past history of bee stings.
  • Vaccinated dogs typically develop protection comparable to 2 to 3 vials of antivenin.

A snake bite should always be treated as an emergency, even in a vaccinated dog.

Further reading from VIN: