July 9, 2009

Commentary
Rattlesnake avoidance
training and new vaccine
available for field dogs

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     While rattlesnakes have always made the short hairs on the back of my neck jump to attention, their buzzing and undulating movement never stuck terror into my heart, and after the initial tingle, I was mostly interested in watching them and then letting them go their own way.
     Then I got my first hunting dog.
     Early in that yellow Labrador’s hunting career with me, a big Western diamondback starting buzzing-hot between the dog and me while we were on a broken-up covey of quail. The dog made a bee-line for the coiled up snake but I managed to shotgun off the snake’s head just eight feet in front of the dog’s nose. My heart was thundering and I commanded the dog to come, and he obeyed without detouring to the writhing snake.
     Once things were sorted out, I realized my snap reaction might have saved that dog a bite on the face, but it all happened so fast and I shot so close to the dog, I was rattled and we went back to the truck. Since that close call with my first yellow Labrador over 25 years, and another 25 years of tales of dying dogs from hunting friends and acquaintances and stories of horror from veterinarian friends, I have a different perspective on rattlesnakes.
     Anyone who spends time outdoors in Southern California frequently comes across rattlesnakes, and I see more each year than I’d really like. For people who own field dogs, whether they hunt or are just companions on hikes or while fishing, we have too much invested in these animals emotionally and sometimes financially to be cavalier about snake bites. While dogs rarely die after a rattlesnake bite, the aftermath of a serious bite can leave them scarred, crippled, blinded, and changed for life. The treatment is expensive and prevention is almost impossible.
     Most of all, the simple fact is that your dog far more likely to be bitten than you. Most dogs will immediately investigate the buzzing rattle and get struck on the face or paw. Even dogs that mind voice commands and immediately come aren’t safe. The dogs spend far more time in bushy areas sniffing around, and they cover far more ground that we do when hiking or hunting. So they are at risk to get struck by an unseen snake without the warning buzz.
     There are estimates that more than 150,000 dogs are bitten by rattlesnakes each year in this country. Most Southern California emergency veterinary hospitals, those open on weekends and evenings, see 30 to 50 cases a year, some more. Most vets in this region see one to six cases per year during their regular business hours. Treatment means at least three days under hospital care, and in serious cases this means an anti-venom injection, intravenous fluids, antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection, and medication for pain and swelling. The price tag is going to be over $1,200 and could be double that or more if there is extensive necrosis (rotting tissue).
     Field dog owners need to take precautions. For a lot of hunters, I know that means turning those rattlesnakes into hat bands and barbecue fodder whenever they run across a one (OK, they sort of taste like chicken, but more like frog legs). But we can’t eliminate them all.
     Rattlesnake avoidance training is a popular option and growing more and more popular each year for field dogs. Since the majority of the bites dogs receive are on the face, it means the dog was investigating the snake when struck. Avoidance training teaches the dog he doesn’t want anything to do with rattlesnakes. In most training programs, the dog is introduced to the scent of a real snake, hears the buzzing, and then led up to the snake so the dog and snake are eye-to-eye. When the caged snake strikes at the inquisitive dog, the dog gets a healthy electrical shock.
     In spite of how many of us feel when trying to do simple dog training, our pets are actually very bright animals. After one jolting lesson, most dogs have to be dragged over to a caged snake on a lead. They scramble to put the handler between them and the snake. If off a leash, they won’t get near the cage again. The buzzing scares them. The smell makes them seek out their owner. The first time I saw how effective a shock collar was for obedience and snake training, I wanted two of them for my then-teenage boys.
     But it doesn’t work on all dogs. Just like most dogs won’t mess with skunks after getting sprayed once, there are some dogs snake training won’t help. I’ve been told a story of a German shorthair that ripped his lead from the handler and proceeded to attack the rattlesnake in its small cage. The dog was being shocked repeatedly as the snake stuck over and over again against the tight-meshed cage. The dog eventually killed the snake by mashing the screening onto the snake’s head and then seemed content to go back to the handler who had eventually stopped shocking the dog and stood and watched the episode in awe.
     (I had a hunting buddy whose Labrador felt it was his obligation in life to kill every skunk he encountered. Old Cody got good at it. He would launch himself into the air as the skunk whirled and flagged up its tail. The spray would coat Cody’s front legs and chest as he dropped down on the skunk and snapped its neck with a quick bite and shake. Since one of the places we hunted ducks was a dairy, I suspect Cody’s lifetime skunk tally was several dozen. All I know is that both our hunting vehicles during that dog’s life always had the faint smell of skunk.)
     Virtually every veterinarian I spoke with for this story recommended snake avoidance training if your dog spends a lot time outdoors in areas where it’s likely to run across rattlesnakes. These classes are typically from $50 to $80 per dog. And it’s recommended that you get a refresher course after three or four years. Many hunting dog trainers run these classes regularly, and most Quail Unlimited chapters in this region have at least one “Snake Break” each year.
     There is a second precaution that is still relatively new: a rattlesnake vaccine for dogs. While veterinarians seem split on the vaccine’s need or value, it’s an option that many dog owners don’t even know exists. The vaccine is manufactured by Red Rock Biologics in Woodland, and it was first approved for use in California in July, 2003, and nationwide in November, 2004.
     The vaccine’s makers, and an increasing number of veterinarians, say the vaccine reduces the severity of bites, slows the onset of symptoms, reduces pain and suffering of the dog bitten, and improves recovery time.
     Martie Janway, administrative manager at Red Rock, said the vaccine creates the equivalent of “two or three viles” of anti-venom in the dog’s system, so that the snake’s venom is counter-acted as soon as the dog is bitten.
     Vaccinated dogs still need to be treated by a veterinarian immediately, but in many cases they go home the same day and do not require extensive treatment, frequently just antibiotics to stop secondary infections.
     As with all vaccines, the protections decreases over time, and the rattlesnake vaccine protection is at its peak from one to six months after it is administered. Boosters are recommended every six months for dogs in the field year-around in Southern California, but many hunters are only having their dogs boostered once a year, so their dogs are protected during the warm months when snake activity is at its peak.
     Since many, if not most, of rattlesnake bites are “dry,” the amount of venom injected by the snake is frequently very little. Dr. Barbara Allard, owner of Northside Veterinary Clinic in San Bernardino, said she normally treats for just pain and gives antibiotics to prevent secondary infections at the wound.
     “The majority of dogs get a drive-by. Most snakes are unwilling to give up all their venom on an animal they know they can’t eat,” said Allard, explaining that the strike is meant to scare the dog off by frightening it and causing pain. As a result, she rarely gives anti-venom to a dog unless it is struck in the body or is a small animal in obvious distress.
     Allard lives in a rural area and said all but the youngest of her hunting dogs have been bitten by rattlesnakes, but she is disinclined to use or recommend the vaccine because it is so new that its long-term side affects are not known yet. She worries that this vaccine will just add to the burden placed on a pet’s immune system over time. As with all vaccines, Allard recommends an as-needed use approach, and doesn’t carry or recommend the rattlesnake vaccine at this time.
     Dr. Dennis Culley of Mountain View Veterinarian Hospital in Upland is very much like Allard in his concern about over-medicating and over-vaccinating dogs for every ailment that’s out there.
     “For some vets is all about the money and they recommend everything,” said Culley.
     But Culley does recommend the rattlesnake venom for people whose dogs have very high risk, and he has vaccinated over 100 dogs since he was introduced to the vaccine. One of those dogs was bitten by a rattlesnake recently. While Culley said he had no way of knowing if the strike was dry or not, the vaccinated dog had minimal symptoms and required little treatment. Did the vaccine save the dog’s owner a lot of anguish and expense? Did it save the dog some suffering? Maybe.
     With rattlesnake “season” in full swing. Now is the time for hunters (and other pet owners with dogs in the field) to look at options to protect their outdoor partners and their wallets. Snake avoidance training and vaccines are two things to consider. My young Labrador, Duke, is going to get both this summer.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     JULY 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JULY 11-12 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will tentatively be on Oct. 3-4, and Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
     JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     AUGUST 12 DOVE TUNE-UP SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited will have a dove tune-up shoot and barbecue beginning 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Triple B Clays, 831 Rosemead Blvd, South El Monte. (Where the 60 freeway crosses Rosemead Blvd.) The group will also have a drawing for a two-day dove-hog hunt at the Chimineas Ranch, a Department of Fish and Game wildlife area. Those who can’t attend the shoot can still purchase raffle tickets for the hunt. Information at www.qu.org, or via e-mail at sgvqu@onebox.com, voicemail or fax at 866-206-9070 x6715.
     AUGUST 15 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     AUGUST 15-16 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun show will tentatively be Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     AUGUST 20 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION CHINO FUND-RAISER: A fund-raising dinner for the California Waterfowl Association will be held beginning 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Chino Fairgrounds, 5410 Edison Avenue, Chino. Cost is $65 per person or $105 per couple. Contact Jim Morton at 909- 391-6512 or go to www.calwaterfowl.org for an event flyer.
     AUGUST 22 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     SEPTEMBER 5-6 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 date for the Bakersfield gun show is Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     SEPTEMBER 12-13 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     OCTOBER 3-4 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun show will tentatively be Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     OCTOBER 24-25 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The 2019 slate of shows in Ontario has not be set yet. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.