Nebraskaland

APRIL 2017 • NEBRASKAland 65 L iving or hunting in rattlesnake country can pose a threat to dogs in particular; they can stumble across a snake by accident and their curiosity and/or active behavior may stimulate a snake to bite. Bites can be dry or venomous and many times occur on the head and neck areas. Around 25 percent of bites are dry; the fangs penetrate skin but do not inject venom. Young rattlesnakes are venomous but due to lack of control, they are more likely to inject venom. Effects from a venomous bite depend on the species of snake, its size, volume of venom injected, depth of the bite and size of the victim. These bites are hemotoxic, which means toxins disrupt blood vessels in the body causing swelling and tissue damage, uncontrolled bleeding, shock and in many instances death. Facial bites are often more lethal as swelling impairs the ability to breathe, with signs occurring within 30 to 60 minutes. The Vaccine To reduce venomous effects, vaccinations can be given to pets that live or hunt in areas of question. In case of a bite, the vaccination gives pet owners more time to get to veterinary care and provides the vet more time to evaluate and start treatment. Veterinarian Amanda Korkow at Tender Hearts Veterinarian Clinic in North Platte said, "The vaccine is controversial as some dismiss the effectiveness of it; however, I've seen that it does buy some time for pet owners to get to care and that's one goal of the vaccine." The vaccine became available in 2003 by Red Rock Biologics using venom components from western diamondback rattlesnakes. The vaccine was developed to provide protection from the western diamondback rattlesnake and should provide protection against the prairie, great basin, sidewinder, timber and massasauga rattlesnakes, copperheads and gives partial protection against the eastern diamondback. However, the vaccine does not provide protection against Mojave rattlesnakes, water moccasins or coral snakes. The vaccine decreases the severity of bites by stimulating the dog's immune system to produce antibodies against rattlesnake toxin. A dog should get two doses about 30 days apart followed by a booster 30 days before possible exposure to rattlesnakes. Protection peaks around four to six weeks after boosters are administered and last about six months. A booster shot is necessary once a year one month before hunting seasons or twice a year in areas where rattlesnakes are year-round risks. Korkow said, "Vaccines on average cost $25 per dose, which is much less than antivenom that starts around $800. Many vet clinics don't keep a supply on hand because of cost and short expiration dates." Protection will vary in each dog as some dogs produce more antibodies than others. Vaccines are not a sole means of protection but can delay bite symptoms, cause fewer and less severe symptoms like lethargy, swelling and pain, decrease mortality rate, and provide faster recovery times and little to no tissue necrosis. Even if a dog is vaccinated, get the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible following a bite, keep exercise to a minimum, don't touch or manipulate the area around the bite or attempt to suck out the venom. Snakebites are painful and even mild- mannered dogs may bite, so use caution. Rattlesnakes Rattlesnakes can be found in many environments, but they commonly find shelter under clumps of high grass, yucca plants, shrubs, down timber and rocks. In the spring and fall, snakes are more active during the warmest time of day, venturing into open areas such as dirt roads, pavement or rocks to absorb sunlight. During periods of very high daytime temperatures, snakes will seek shade during the hottest portion of the day and become active at dusk. Apart from the rattle, the most distinctive identifying characteristic of the rattlesnake is a wide, flat triangular head that is much broader in the back than front and wider than the neck. Rattlesnakes have heat-sensing pits between the nostrils and eyes, and their vertical pupils are elliptical in shape. A series of dark and light bands near the tail above the rattles will differ from the markings on the rest of the body. A rattlesnake's strike distance can be up to one-third to one- half of its overall length and is faster than the human eye can follow, so trying to outwit the snake could prove deadly. Plus, rattlesnakes do not always rattle to warn of an attack. There must be at least two segments of a rattle to be capable of making sound so young rattlesnakes may not make the rattle sound while others may have lost rattles due to injury. If you plan to take your dog dove, grouse or pheasant hunting later this fall in rattlesnake country, you may want to consider getting started with the vaccine soon. ■ • Vaccinate your dog. • Take snake aversion training or train your dogs to "come" commands. Shock collars can be a tool to call dogs off as well. • Use a six-foot leash or less. If you see or hear a rattlesnake, having your dog on a leash will help avoid a snake bite. Most bites occur when a dog is not on a leash. • Snake-proof your yard by cutting grass short and eliminate brush and piles of rocks where snakes sun themselves and hide. • Avoid rocky or dense brush or grassy areas. Stay on wide trails, if possible, when walking a dog. • Slowly back away from a snake until you are out of striking distance, about the snake's length, and then leave the area. • Know snake bite symptoms: puncture wounds, bleeding, severe pain, swelling, restlessness, panting or drooling, lethargy, weakness, diarrhea, seizures, and depressed respiration. • Vaccinate your dog Precautions By Julie Geiser How to keep your four-legged friend safe. Rattlesnake Bites

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