Snake vaccine reactions

bleegeorge · 07-07-2008, 11:06 AM

We have been getting our two Pems the snake vaccine for several years now. We believe that our dogs are having adverse reactions to the vaccine, about two weeks after they receive the shots. Even though the vet says this is not possible, we are suspicous due to both dogs having the same symptoms, vomitting and diarhea. We had a real scare in 2006 when we traveled with the dogs, and they both got severly sick, one of them needing to be hospitalized for days. They eventually came out of it, but we continue to experience the same symptoms periodically, and have been trying to narrow down what causes this. We have been going nuts trying to figure out if it is something in the yard, or something we fed them. Now we think the snake vaccine is the culprit, but no one supports this theory. I am told that it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to fully integrate into the dogs system, and our male dog always shows the illness a little faster. The female follows between a couple hours later, up to a couple of days later. But both show the exact same effects. It is frightening to think that we are causing this in our dogs.

MyPemCharlie · 07-07-2008, 11:43 AM

I found this article (link below) on the snakebite vaccine. The FAQ section states that less than 1/10 of 1 percent of dogs have vomiting and diarrhea, so that is probably why your vet thinks it's safe. Who knows? Corgi's may be more suseptible to these particular side effects than other breeds perhaps.

You'll have to trust your own instincts on this one. Is the risk of being bitten really high enough in your area to need the vaccine? If so, then maybe the temporary vomiting/diarrhea is worth it. Although if the vaccine did cause days of hospitilization, that seems not worthwhile. If the dog were bitten by a snake, it would need to go to the vet with or without the vaccine. How much does the vaccine increase the survival of the dog if bitten?

It sounds like a tough decision, but you'll have to weigh the pros and cons and go from there.

http://www.redrockbiologics.com/FAQ.html

glencorgi · 07-07-2008, 01:19 PM

I have no experience with snake vaccines, but from what you are describing, a reaction to them would be a first suspicion with me. Last week there was a big discussion on the Showdogs-L list about snakes, anti-venom, aversion training, etc.

Quote:

It is frightening to think that we are causing this in our dogs.

I can understand the feelings here, but I believe you need to keep a context of risk involved to your dogs IF you don't give the vaccines. How high is the risk of them encountering poisonous snakes in their daily activities and/or other activities you do with them? That's what you'd need to weigh against the reactions to the vaccines. Not an easy decision either way.

Debbie

LaRogue · 07-08-2008, 10:00 AM

From your post, I would probably suspect the snakebite vaccine, too. I agree that you will have to weigh the pros and cons of continuing to give it. Maybe the Showdogs-L list, Debbie mentioned, would be a good starting point, allowing you to get in touch with some who are more knowledgeable in your specific area and with the vaccine?

When living down south, I lived in fairly snake infested coastal regions. They also had a healthy populations of those cute, but nasty semi-toxic little tree frogs, black widows, and all kinds of other nasty things. If the snakebite vaccine existed back then, I didn't know about it. It would have been of little use to me anyhow, as the poisonous snakes were water moccasins (which the vaccine doesn't protect against, according to the link Chris posted) and copperheads. Also, snakes were not the only poisonous creepy crawlies you had to worry about. I had very good success training my corgi not to chase after ANY animals/bugs/reptiles or things that moved, in general. Between that and watching him like a hawk outdoors he was never bitten.

I've spent most of my adult life up and down the southeastern coast and I often miss it-especially during the winter, but Pip and I will be staying here for a while. I like the odds with the black bears better than those with the poisonous snakes.

Peggy · 07-08-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRogue

From your post, I would probably suspect the snakebite vaccine, too. I agree that you will have to weigh the pros and cons of continuing to give it. Maybe the Showdogs-L list, Debbie mentioned, would be a good starting point, allowing you to get in touch with some who are more knowledgeable in your specific area and with the vaccine?

This list is very good for discussing vaccine realted things:
BeyondVaccination : BeyondVaccination

The articles posted on vaccinations by the owner of the list offer much food for thought:
Holistic Care for Pets

Peggy

ZcorgiZ · 07-08-2008, 04:01 PM

Sorry to hear that your dogs have a reaction to the vaccine. I started getting the vaccine for mine last summer and we've had no problems.

07-07-2008, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
bleegeorge Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 22 Images: 6	Snake vaccine reactions We have been getting our two Pems the snake vaccine for several years now. We believe that our dogs are having adverse reactions to the vaccine, about two weeks after they receive the shots. Even though the vet says this is not possible, we are suspicous due to both dogs having the same symptoms, vomitting and diarhea. We had a real scare in 2006 when we traveled with the dogs, and they both got severly sick, one of them needing to be hospitalized for days. They eventually came out of it, but we continue to experience the same symptoms periodically, and have been trying to narrow down what causes this. We have been going nuts trying to figure out if it is something in the yard, or something we fed them. Now we think the snake vaccine is the culprit, but no one supports this theory. I am told that it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to fully integrate into the dogs system, and our male dog always shows the illness a little faster. The female follows between a couple hours later, up to a couple of days later. But both show the exact same effects. It is frightening to think that we are causing this in our dogs.

07-07-2008, 11:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
MyPemCharlie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,155 Images: 20	I found this article (link below) on the snakebite vaccine. The FAQ section states that less than 1/10 of 1 percent of dogs have vomiting and diarrhea, so that is probably why your vet thinks it's safe. Who knows? Corgi's may be more suseptible to these particular side effects than other breeds perhaps. You'll have to trust your own instincts on this one. Is the risk of being bitten really high enough in your area to need the vaccine? If so, then maybe the temporary vomiting/diarrhea is worth it. Although if the vaccine did cause days of hospitilization, that seems not worthwhile. If the dog were bitten by a snake, it would need to go to the vet with or without the vaccine. How much does the vaccine increase the survival of the dog if bitten? It sounds like a tough decision, but you'll have to weigh the pros and cons and go from there. http://www.redrockbiologics.com/FAQ.html __________________ Chris & Charlie He Ain't Heavy, He's My Corgi!

07-08-2008, 10:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
LaRogue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 333 Images: 2	From your post, I would probably suspect the snakebite vaccine, too. I agree that you will have to weigh the pros and cons of continuing to give it. Maybe the Showdogs-L list, Debbie mentioned, would be a good starting point, allowing you to get in touch with some who are more knowledgeable in your specific area and with the vaccine? When living down south, I lived in fairly snake infested coastal regions. They also had a healthy populations of those cute, but nasty semi-toxic little tree frogs, black widows, and all kinds of other nasty things. If the snakebite vaccine existed back then, I didn't know about it. It would have been of little use to me anyhow, as the poisonous snakes were water moccasins (which the vaccine doesn't protect against, according to the link Chris posted) and copperheads. Also, snakes were not the only poisonous creepy crawlies you had to worry about. I had very good success training my corgi not to chase after ANY animals/bugs/reptiles or things that moved, in general. Between that and watching him like a hawk outdoors he was never bitten. I've spent most of my adult life up and down the southeastern coast and I often miss it-especially during the winter, but Pip and I will be staying here for a while. I like the odds with the black bears better than those with the poisonous snakes.

07-08-2008, 04:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
ZcorgiZ Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eunice, New Mexico Posts: 9	Sorry to hear that your dogs have a reaction to the vaccine. I started getting the vaccine for mine last summer and we've had no problems.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)