Hi All,
A recent tragedy in the Yorkie show world has really got to me. A beautiful special had a break from showing and was in the backyard with his owners when he was bit by a rattlesnake. They rushed him to the emergency vet but he passed in the car on the way there.
In addition to my Dobe I also own a Yorkie. While I don't live in an area that has problems with rattlesnakes in my yard we do hike and camp frequently which has the potential run across rattlesnakes.
I ran across an article posted on the VPI Pet Insurance website
Rattlesnake Vaccine For Dogs | The Pet Health Zone about the rattlesnake vaccine. It is supposed to create antibodies so that in the event of a bite it reduces swelling/neurological/tissue damage and buys extra time to get to the emergency vet. I am considering vaccinating both of my dogs.
Has anyone had experience with this vaccine?
I did an internet search and see that UC Davis does not recommend it and there have been some purported cases of dogs dying (one was a Doberman)as a result of the vaccine which has made me really leery.
I want to do everything in my power to keep my dogs safe but don't want to put their health in jeopardy by trying to prevent something that might not happen.
Any insight is extremely appreciated!!