Rattlesnake Bite Information

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Last year, read  mention on DK of someone's having given her Doods rattlesnake vaccinations each year.  (Sorry I can't remember who it was, Nancy maybe, but thank you!)  Had Brulee vaccinated and just got this update email from my vet's office re rattlesnakes and what to do or not to do if your pet is bitten.  Thought this might be interested...  Sorry, the photos didn't move with the text.

 

 

Prevention and Treatment of Rattlesnake Bites (and a Rattlesnake Vaccine Update)

   

                   The Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalusoreganuslutosus) is a sub-species of the Western Rattlesnake (Crotalusoreganus) and is the most widely distributed venomous snake in Utah.  Usually less than three feet long, the Great Basin Rattlesnake is light tan to light gray with dark brown irregular markings along the back and sides. They feed primarily on small rodents and the dry, rocky terrain of the eastern bench trail system is ideal habitat for these snakes – making a snake-pet encounter likely at some point for regular trail users.

                     Early in the summer, snakes spend much of their time in direct sun, often on the trail itself or in open fields. During mid to late summer, snakes are only out in the open early in the morning (or late in the evening). They spend the bulk of the day in the shade of rocks and brush, or in the many crevices and caves along the trail system.

   Dogs and cats are curious animals and love to explore movement or sound in the brush – virtually 100% of the snakebites we see are a result of the pet trying to bite or paw at the snake (most common bite locations are lips/face, tongue, front paw, andforearm).  Limiting off-leash exploring in the brush will greatly decrease the risk of your pet being bitten by a rattlesnake.

 

   While relatively rare for the number of dogs using the trail system, a rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency and your pet should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

The following are recommended First-Aid procedures to perform in the field (if possible):

Do: clean the bite with soap and water, then keep the skin dry

Do: keep the victim calm and keep the bite below heart level

Do: apply a loose-fitting ACE bandage starting 2-3” above the bite. You should be able to slip 1-2 fingers under wrap.

Do: seek immediate medical attention. If it is necessary for the victim to walk some distance, try to minimize use of the affected limb  and try to keep the victim’s heart rate as low as possible.

   There is a rich body of folklore in existence regarding snakebite first-aid – almost none it is helpful and most of it can cause further harm to the victim. These procedures are NOT RECOMMENDED:

Don’t: attempt to use suction on the bite – this will not remove any measurable amount of venom and can damage the tissue around the bite

Don’t: attempt to cut or “open up” the bite – this also won’t remove any venom and will definitely cause further damage to the tissue around the bite. It will also increase the risk of infection.

Don’t: attempt to apply a tourniquet to a bitten limb (especially a belt or leash!)–  this has not been proven effective and can cause extensive damage to the limb (often requiring amputation).

Don’t: apply ice – this has been shown to greatly increase local tissue damage

Don’t: apply electric shock (either D/C or A/C). This will only increase local tissue damage, including thermal burns.

Don’t: try to capture or kill the snake –this is how nearly ALL human bites occur.

   Rattlesnake venom isboth hemotoxic and myotoxic, meaning the proteins in the venom cause disruption and death of the living tissue it comes in contact with.  The majority of the damage will usually occur within 12 inches of the bite itself and will commonly be accompanied by severe pain, progressive swelling (3-5 times normal size) and extensive bruising.  When larger volumes of venom are injected, the skin (and underlying tissues) at the bite site can die and slough, requiring surgery to close the resulting defect.  Without prompt treatment, systemic effects of the venom become much more likely. These can include heart arrhythmias, kidney failure, coagulopathies (blood clotting disruption), metabolic abnormalities, and shock.

   Once at the veterinary hospital, the veterinary team will:

   ** start IV fluids to support blood pressure and treat or prevent shock

   **perform bloodwork to assess systemic effects of the venom

   **begin antibiotic treatment (to prevent infection)

   **administer appropriate pain medications (usually Narcotics)

   **monitor for heart arrhythmias, kidney damage, and blood clotting abnormalities (and treat as needed)

   **perform wound care at the bite site, including managing the secondary swelling and edema

   **possibly administer antivenin.   Antivenin is extremely expensive ($3,000-$15,000 per patient), cannot stop local tissue damage, and can cause serious side effects in some patients – it is usually used only when the victim is experiencingeither immediate life-threatening complications from envenomationor uncontrolled swelling at the bite site. Fortunately, the venom of the Great Basin Rattlesnake ranks relatively low in toxicity compared to other venomous snakes and (in our experience) greater than 90% of snake bit victims will survive without the expense and risks associated with antivenin administration.  Typically medical care is going to involve 2-5 days of hospitalization, possibly longer if surgical repairs are needed.

Rattlesnake Vaccine

                   In 2003, Red Rock Biologics introduced a vaccine comprised of components of Western Diamondback rattlesnake venom. This toxoid has been shown to promote the production of antibodies to the proteins in rattlesnake venom. To date, there have been very few independent scientific studies documenting just how effective this vaccine may be.  Over 100,000dogs have received the vaccine in the U.S. and anecdotal reports from veterinarians seem to show that the vaccine:

   ** can delay the onset of clinical signs of a rattlesnake bite

   **can result in a lower degree of tissue damage in a vaccinated dog than in an unvaccinated dog

   **may be more effective lessening clinical signs in small dogs than in larger dogs

   **the most commonly reported side effect of vaccination is a sterile abscess at the injection site

   **will definitely NOT negate the need for immediate medical care after a snake bite

   The American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Guidelines considers the Rattlesnake vaccine a “non-core” vaccine and, due to the lack of published efficacy studies, does not take a position on the use of this vaccine.

References:Rattlesnake Envenomation, Najman&Seshadri, Compendium on Continuing Education 2007, Vol 29 (3)

                                   Ettinger, et. al.  Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 5thed.  Saunders. 2000.

                                Red Rock Biologics.(Product literature)  www.RedRockBiologics.com

                                   Photo credit: Riley Campbell  Contact Riley Campbell

 

                                     This email was sent to:  [e-mail]

 

                                                             This email was sent by: Burch Creek Animal Hospital
                                                                                                                                                                          4847 Harrison Blvd
         Ogden, UT 84403                                                           

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks for posting this info! Hopefully I will never NEED it but we do have rattlesnakes in this area so...

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

You're welcome, Ridki.  NOT something to want to use, but I thought it might be worth posting.  In lots of parts of the country, we do have to face the possibility our puppies running into a rattlesnake. 

[Mike, Cedar and Reno]

I second the thank you for posting this.

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

You bet,Mike.  I know you and Cedar are out a lot, so this is probably a good fit for you...thought you might have already known most of the stuff.  Happy 9and snake-free) Trails and give that adorable Cedar a hello from Brulee and Tira!

[Taylor & Huff]

I REALLY hope I will never have to use this info. We never bring Huff anywhere too wild. The most wild place we take him is an area where he goes potty where there are a couple mountains surrounding the ares, but the area isn't too rocky.

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Yeah, I agree.  Just to have, not to use type of information.  Better to know and not use that the other way around, though!  :)

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Great posting.  Can people get these vaccinations????  My daughter is out on trails jogging, biking, etc.  I'm going to ask her if she is vaccinating in Denver (she is a vet).  Even for those of us NOT in rattlesnake territory, we may TRAVEL with dogs to those states.  Sheila would be dead for sure, she is so tiny.  I would never even walk her in Denver but she would have to go potty.  Yikes. BTY, how is Tiramasu doing?  Will she be bigger than Brulee do you think?  Are they getting along?

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Yes, you can.  Saw my vet, and he was able to give Brulee her shot.  It's an annual vaccination, so I'll have her have one before summer hits, each year.  That's when we travel and she's likely to encounter a rattlesnake.  You're right you could be safe at home, but if you travel, the risk is still there... You're a good Doodle Mommy!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Just absolutely petrified of snakes!!!!  YOU are the good owner, getting the vaccine.  I'll bet it's not inexpensive!!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Oh, DeeDee, the two of them are just wonderful together!  One of the pics I posted, just a few minutes ago shows them cuddling on our sofa.  They are in their adorable Gator Cheerleading dresses.  (More information on their dresses via Dori !)

Brulee's Dad is also Tira's Dad.  Their Moms are sisters!  From Brulee's weights at similar ages they should be within a couple of pounds of each other.  Brulee is 14 months and weighs 19.5 lbs.