Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Rattlesnake Vaccine for dogs - fyi
Since my experience with Chuy last week, I've not had a lot of time to research, but I have found this bit of information on rattlesnake vaccination for dogs. The slideshow is tedious, but the transcripts were informative and full of useful information.

Until Chuy was bitten, I had no idea vaccination to help prepare your pet for rattler venom even existed. Praline has had her first injection Saturday and will get another in about a month. The local vet is charging $20 each for those, and I'll have to administer the second myself. Chuy will get his first injection around that time.

I've no intention of seeming a one-note symphony these days, but this subject is in the fore for me now. Just the anti-venom shot for Chuy was $450, with several hundred more in care due for all the tests, IVs, etc. I'm given to understand that the anti-venom shot is not even available in some clinics because it has a short shelf-life and may spoil unused, the expense of which would have to be passed along to a clinic's patients for other treatments. Other clinics are charging $800 or more per dose. This makes me think that-- heaven forbid-- should one of my dogs get bitten by a rattler on a Sunday afternoon, I may not even be able to find a vet who has anti-venom and will show up for emergencies. My hope is simply to lessen the severity of any future snakebites.

Anyhoo, the whole point of this is for my friends who live in or near rattler country who have semi-outdoor dogs, you really need to look into getting this vaccine for your pet. Just my humble opinion and probably worth what you paid for it. I just wish I'd known when I moved here that such a thing existed. I'm staying on my toes on this one.
Written by phlegmfatale
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Name: Phlegmfatale
Location: Elsewhere, Texas, USA

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