Rattlesnake Vaccination

Should I vaccinate my dog against rattlesnakes?

That's a good question. We don't know the efficacy of Red Rocks Biologicals Crotalus Atrox Toxoid (rattlesnake vaccine) because no one has, or ever is, going to do controlled studies, where they inject dogs with snake venom and compare vaccinated dogs to unvaccinated dogs, for obvious humane reasons. 

Comparing vaccinated dogs bitten by rattlesnakes to unvaccinated dogs bitten by rattlesnakes is also difficult because of the many variables going into a snake bite (dry bites, size and species of snake, amount of venom injected, toxicity of the venom, bite location, type of first aid provided, timing and treatment methods, complications, size and health status of victim, etc.).  

I do know humans can increase their resistance to snake venom by injecting (US) or tattooing themselves (India) with snake venom or after repeated snake bites (Australia) and dogs bitten repeatedly tend to do better with subsequent bites, but not always. So dogs should develop resistance with a toxoid (vaccine). Not all rattlesnake bites are fatal but most are very bad and I have seen dogs die from snake bites. 

If your dog is bitten you should restrict its activity (carry if possible) and get to a veterinary hospital ASAP. Most bites are on the muzzle or a front leg, start to swell quickly, are extremely painful and, in San Diego, are at night. Most clients see a snake but sometimes they just see their dog yelp and jump back from a bush. Don't wait to see what happens, if you think your dog was bit get to a veterinary hospital immediately. 

I had one patient, a big dog, that died within 45 minutes but never did swell. I definitely recommend antivenin, fluids and aggressive treatment for shock and pain even if vaccinated. 

Back to the question, yes we do recommend vaccination, (two doses at a one month interval, then one once or twice a year) but I do not know the toxoid efficacy. Toxoids tend to have shorter durations of immunity than vaccines. I always recommend other preventative measures as well, such as keeping your dog on a leash in rattlesnake habitat (open space), and rattlesnake avoidance classes.  Dogs are bit so commonly because they can smell the snake and follow the scent trail right to the snake, whereas a human may walk right by the snake without seeing it. Rattlesnakes tend not to rattle if they are undetected.