Vizslas
Events
Resources
Store
Rescue
Club Info
The RSVC needs your help!
We are in need of volunteers to fill a variety of team positions. Please consider volunteering your time to help with needs of these special dogs.
RSVC Merchandise
The RSVC has a variety of merchandise available to order online or at many of our club events. Your support in purchasing RSVC merchandise greatly helps our club and our Vizsla rescue program.
Visit Online Store
click here >
RSVC Merchandise
The RSVC has a variety of merchandise available to order online or at many of our club events. Your support in purchasing RSVC merchandise greatly helps our club and our Vizsla rescue program.
Visit Online Store
click here >
Venomous Snakes
A venomous animal is one with specialized glands that secrete a toxic substance which immobilizes and then kills prey. Spiders, insects, and snakes are venomous animals with snakes being particularly deadly.
There are five types of venomous snakes:
The snakes with rigid fangs bite and hold their prey until it dies. The snakes with hinged fangs, such as the rattlers, will strike, release the prey, and then look for the dead body.
Snake venom is highly complicated. At least 26 separate enzymes have been identified but some 10 enzymes appear common to all snake venoms (though in different concentrations). All snake bites are not equal. The quality of venom depends not only on the type of snake but on the season, the geographical region, the age of the snake, and how recently it has released venom previously.
The Western Rattlesnake
The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis ) – This snake species has been divided up into numerous subspecies and DNA analysis is showing that these may actually be separate species. There are currently 7 subtypes of Crotalus viridis:
The physical appearance of each snake species is variable and it is difficult to tell what species of snake one is looking at. Some general principles in distinguishing poisonous snakes are:
Dogs vs. Snakes
Dogs encounter snakes during play or work in the snake’s natural habitat. Most bites to dogs occur on the face or extremities. The rattlesnake bite is generally “hemotoxic” which means that it exerts its toxin by disrupting the integrity of the blood vessels. The swelling is often dramatic with up to 1/3 of the total blood circulation being lost into the tissues in a matter of hours. The toxin further disrupts normal blood clotting mechanisms leading to uncontrolled bleeding. This kind of blood loss induces shock and finally death. Facial bites are often more lethal as the swelling may occlude the throat or impair ability to breathe.
An exception would be the Mojave rattlesnake whose venom is “neurotoxic.” The bite of this snake causes rapid paralysis. This includes paralysis of the respiratory muscles and suffocation.
TREATMENT
The faster the bite is recognized, the more effective the treatment is. Do not try to cut the bite wound open or suck out the poison. Seek veterinary care immediately for proper treatment.
IV FLUIDS
Since the most common mechanism of death from rattlesnake bite is circulatory collapse, IV support and monitoring for signs of blood pressure drop are very important. Fluids may be started at a relatively slow rate if the patient is stable but should signs of impending trouble occur, circulatory volume replacement is as easy as opening a drip set valve. Twenty four hours of observation post-bite is a prudent observation time with IV fluid administration all the while.
ANTIVENIN
There are numerous misconceptions about antivenin. The first is simply the name of the product. It is not “anti-venom.” It is not a single injection that provides the antidote to snake bite venom. Antivenin is a biological product consisting of antibodies made by horses in response to exposure to four common Crotaline venoms. The antibody serum is reconstituted into an intravenous drip that is run into the patient over at least 30 minutes or so.
Antivenin is expensive (at least $100-$200 per vial) and a large dog with a severe bite is likely to require several vials. Because the product if of horse origin, often a scratch test to the ear flap is used to test for immunological sensitivity (i.e. to predict whether the patient is likely to have anaphylactic reaction to the antivenin once it is administered intravenously. The patient will likely always be sensitive to equine products after administration of antivenin which makes future snake bite treatment problematic.
A newer, more purified antivenin of sheep origin has recently been marketed (“Cro-Fab” antivenin) but this is even more expensive (approximately $700 per vial).
Antivenin is very helpful in the inactivation of snake venom but there is a narrow window during which it must be used. After about 4 hours post-bite, antivenin is of minimal use.
A separate antivenin is available for coral snake venom.
ANTIHISTAMINES
Injections of antihistamines may or may not be helpful with the inflammation from the actual snake bite but may be helpful in warding off anaphylactic reaction to the antivenin. Further, the sedating side effects of antihistamines help calm the patient. Antihistamine use is a common therapy used in the treatment of snake bites.
Corticosteroids seem like they would be helpful as they are universally anti-inflammatory; however, their use has been associated with higher mortality rates so they are not generally administered.
OTHER TREATMENTS
Blood transfusion may be necessary if life-threatening blood loss has occurred. Antibiotics are often used to control secondary infections. Medications to control pain are important to snake bite patients.
VACCINATION
Recently, Red Rock Biologics has released a vaccination against the venom of the Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox). This vaccine also protects against the venom of six out of seven of the other California rattlesnakes. Testing on the venom of the Mojave rattlesnake is still pending.
Content taken from Rattlesnake Bites in California, By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP. Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com. Published 8/23/2004 .
Red Rock Biologics Rattlesnake Vaccine
(Crotalus Atrox Toxoid)
The rational for vaccination against snakebite is to use the dog’s own immune system to generate antibodies which will reduce the effective dose of venom that reaches circulation.
On average, vaccinates have 3-4 vial equivalents of antivenom circulating by one month after the second dose of vaccine. Upon envenomation, vaccinates will require less antivenom than nonvaccinates.
Because the preformed antibody is present at the time of the bite, expect significant reductions in tissue damage as the antibody ties up venom components at the bite site.
Vaccinated animals experience less pain, less swelling, and less tissue destruction than an unvaccinated animal given the same dose of venom.
Even with the vaccine, snakebite remains a veterinary emergency. Antibiotics to combat infection are an essential part of snakebite treatment.
Concluding Remarks
Club members who enjoy having their dogs with them in our Arizona outdoors should carefully consider and prepare for rattlesnake encounters. Its their Arizona also.
The first level of preparation should be to have your dogs snake avoidance trained. No dogs’ training is complete until they will avoid the sight, the smell, and the sound of a rattlesnake. This is their foundation for survival.
Secondarily, vaccination protection against unexpected envenomation is now possible. Red Rock Biologics appears to be first to market with such a vaccine. Before taking this step, consult with your veterinarian.
And always consider and respond to rattlesnake bite as a medical emergency. Leave the field and seek veterinary help as quickly as possible. Your little friend’s welfare and possible survival will depend on the action you take.
Vizslas
Events
Resources
Store
Rescue
Club Info
The RSVC needs your help!
We are in need of volunteers to fill a variety of team positions. Please consider volunteering your time to help with needs of these special dogs.
RSVC Merchandise
The RSVC has a variety of merchandise available to order online or at many of our club events. Your support in purchasing RSVC merchandise greatly helps our club and our Vizsla rescue program.
Visit Online Store
click here >