When I reported the results from Lilly’s wellness exam, our training and blogging friend KB over at Romping and Rolling in the Rockies posted a comment that she knows someone involved with the rattlesnake vaccine. She offered to ask him some questions on our behalf. Here’s what we have to report from his answers.
Research
There is “little literature” on the vaccine.
explains it for us like this: “It’s really tough for an independent lab to
get funding to test something that doesn’t impact lots of animals. And,
if the company who invented the vaccine funds the research, the results
are considered to be biased by the scientific community. It’s a
catch-22.”
Vaccine Sensitive Dogs
“We would never recommend vaccination of a dog with a history of vaccine reactions except in extraordinary circumstances. That type of reaction is generally considered a characteristic of the animal rather than the vaccine. Thus, even if a new vaccine did not trigger an adverse reaction on the first dose, it is entirely possible that the animal might have become sensitized to that dose and then react adversely to the next … A reactive dog should be considered high risk.”
So, that pretty much solidifies our decision NOT to give the vaccine. We talked with our new vet about it last week, amid our struggles with Ginko. Since A) the research isn’t super deep and B ) Lilly is so vaccine sensitive, we’ll hope to avoid future bites or hope that treatment like what she received last time works again.
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I also corresponded via email with Dale Wallis, DVM, from Red Rock Biologics.
Here are two citations from conference proceedings, where data was presented. I failed in my search for the dog one. I had hoped I could link to an abstract or something. Maybe you’ll have more luck.
- 2005 Western Veterinary Conference. Rattlesnake Vaccine to Prevent Envenomation
Toxicity in Dogs. Dr.
Dale Wallis. 2008 The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Annual Conference on Vaccine Research. Evaluation of Immunogenecity and
Efficacy of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (C. atrox) Vaccine in Horses. Dr.
Jennifer Taylor.
*** Added More Info (lunchtime) ***
I know that at least a few of you WANT to give this vaccine, but your veterinarian WON’T do it. Dr. Wallis says that you can contact the company (866.897.7625 toll-free) to find doctor near you will WILL give the vaccine.
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Background
For those catching up, here are the posts that chronicle our big scare last summer.
I think your decision to skip the vaccination is a wise one. It’s just too scary for a ‘just in case’ scenario, I believe. Hopefully, you won’t have a repeat of last summer and Ginko and Lilly will stay clear of any rattlesnakes! We’ve had dogs (not ours, thank goodness) bitten in our town now and then; the vets will administer the vaccine, but only after a bite…not as a preventative. At least, that’s the way I understand it. Thanks for all the links and information…always good to know.
Wow! I skimmed the posts and you had quite an ordeal last summer. I can definitely understand why the decision to vaccinate or not would be a hard one, but I am sure you made the best decision for Lilly.