Currently not a single veterinary college or member of the AARV are recommending the rattlesnake vaccine for many reasons.

1- It is made from modified Crotalus Atrox (western diamonback) venom. The manufacturer (Red Rock Biologics) thinks it might provide cross protection for the Mohave rattlesnake as well, but that's it. It will do absolutely nothing if you do not live in an area where C. Atrox or C. scutulatus are native. It does nothing if your dog is not bit by one of those two species. Where I am there are 11 species of rattlesnake.

2- 80% of snake bites are caused by an species the owner of the dog cannot identify. This means that unless you are a herpatologist or an experienced herper, you will get it wrong 80% of the time. Considering there are 11 species in my area, can you ID each one? Remember many juvenile and hatchlings can look identical.

3- It does not change treatment plans. Your dog will still need antivenin, pain medication and fluids. There is some theory that it may give your dog more time to get to the emergency room, but without any research, we will never know.

The only study done on the vaccine was done by the manufacturer to get FDA approval. Per Red Rock's website, they have no plans to do any other studies. This is their first venture into vaccines, and what has been made public is quite sketchy. Their lack of interest in making research available is concerning.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whatsnew/article.cfm?id=1883

That is US-Davis's position paper. CSU, WSU have also not recommended it. Basically it is a complete waste of your money. You won't save a penny, reaction and complication rates are high, and the only people who are recommending it are just following the marketing push.