Does she really need the Lepto Vaccine?

[Sush]

Most weekends Sage and I go out into the world somewhere, whether it be the beach, forest for hikes/camping, or along the cliffs running. My vet seemed to think it would be necessary for her to get the Lepto Vaccine because two new strands of the leptospirosis have been found in our area. She actually treated two cases...both of which ultimately died because of it or complications with liver failure because of it. Sounds like a good idea. What are your thoughts?

[Miakoda]

I would personally do it. I vaccinate all my dogs with Lepto & I've never had a problem.

And our clinic has treated numerous confirmed Lepto cases over the past few years & we were only able to save one of those dogs. And let's not forget that it's very easily transferred to humans through contact with the urine.

[Duke'sMommy]

What is the Lepto Vaccine? So I guess what Im asking is what is Lepto???

[Sush]

It's a bacterial (and highly contagious disease) that can effect both dogs and humans. My vet said it's commonly spread by rats and racoons...dogs can easily pick it up if they come in contact with an infected animal's urine. Then from there they can spread it to you!

DHLPP vaccination covers it to a certain extent (the L part is for Lepto) but recently there have been new strains of the disease that are resistant to that vaccine. It causes kidney and liver failure and in most cases, it is fatal.

It's a pretty serious disease, I guess I just wasn't sure how "at-risk" my dog would be. Ask your vet about it. Mine seemed to think that with how much Sage is outdoors that she would greatly benefit from it...call it a cheeper insuarnce plan if you will :)

[Duke'sMommy]

Thanks for the explanation. I will for sure ask my vet next time I am there because as like you I have Duke outside running around at the leash free or in the fields/forests everyday.

[SummerRiot]

Because Riot is ALWAYS donig something active, hes vaccinated for Lepto and because we moved to ottawa, he'll also have to get the Giardia vaccine as well as its quite present in this area.

I've seen 1 dog go through Lepto and it was a VERY close case. Luckily it was caught in time and she made a slow, but full recovery!

[Duke'sMommy]

Now Im curious about this. What are the signs a dog has Lepto?

[MafiaPrincess]

AAHA page 8, they don't allow copying and pasting or I would.. Giardia is not a recommended vaccine and they list a bunch of reasons. I wouldn't bother.

http://www.aahanet.org/About_aaha/vaccine_guidelines06.pdf

[bubbatd]

Two years ago when this was becoming a concern I was asked by my clinic to fill out a questionnaire as to where I took Chip . Seems there wasn't enough concern to give the shot . I'd say if your vet recommends it for you area and activity ....get it .

[~Jessie~]

I have never gotten Lepto for my dogs, and wouldn't ever do it for a small dog. To me, the risks are not worth it.

[Miakoda]

Lepto can also be caught from dogs that swim in ponds, lakes, rivers. etc. But yes, rats are the most common reason a dog becomes infected.

A few years ago there was a huge human outbreak. It was linked to rats urinating/defecating in storage areas where can drinks were contained. The moral of the story: ALWAYS wash off the top of your can drink before drinking out of it!

And Jessie, everything comes with a risk. Letting your dogs outside to play is risky. I think it's perfectly fine that you don't vaccinate for lepto. But the facts are that allergic rxns are NOT that common & to advise someone to not vaccinate for it just because you don't isn't always in the best interest of that other dog & owner.

[Sush]

I will definately be getting the vaccine...I think it's a series of two. The risk of actually getting the disease far outweights the risks of allergic reactions as far as I've read AND lepto is apprently active in my area.

Duke'sMommy...some of the first symptoms include sudden high fever, vomiting, increased drinking, conjuntivities (eye inflamation) and depression. It's pretty much the picture of a diagnostic nightmare because all of the symptoms are symptoms of other conditions. vet's often go in the wrong direction with it...giving the disease more time to take hold.

I would just ask your vet what the risks are in your area before vaccinating. I probably wouldnt be doing it if there were recent cases in my area...well who knows I might anyway :)

[~Jessie~]

Lepto is the vaccine that causes most adverse reactions. Lepto is also a bacterial rather than a viral disease. I have had 4 vets, and every single one of them has advised about NOT getting the vaccine.

Here are some things about lepto:

We stand by our belief that the Leptospirosis (Lepto) vaccine should not be administered to any toy breed, Havanese included. It

http://www.renaissancehavanese.com/holisticdietvaccineinfo.htm

Also, here is some detailed info on the Lepto vaccine:

http://www.kjschihuahuas.com/vaccinationschedule.htm

And here is another article:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/k9health/wwwchc/Dogs%20Today%20Lepto%20Article%20Nov%202006.pdf

[fillyone]

But does the vaccine cover those strains?
That's one of the issues with the Lepto vaccine, like kennel cough only a few strains are actually covered.

[SummerRiot]

Jessie - some vets also advise about vaccines depending on your area as well.

When I was in Kingston, Giardia wasn't a large threat, so Riot never got the Giardia vaccine. Lepto was the problem. Lepto is MUCH more potent a problem then Giardia as well. I have set to see a fatal case at work from Giardia - yet we have had a LOT of positive case dogs come in. Its hard to get rid of but it can be done. I have seen cases of dogs with Lepto and some were fatal, others were a close call.
Lepto IMO is worse to get.

Now that I've moved to Ottawa Giardia is a huge problem around this area so Riot will be getting the Giardia booster and also continue on with the Lepto as we still frequently go to Kingston.

I may have some titers done before his vaccines to see just which ones he'll need.

[~Jessie~]

Yes, but the lepto vaccine really seems to adversly effect small breed dogs. The OP has a chihuahua mix... which I am assuming weighs under 10lbs... and that is a tiny dog. The lepto vaccine only protects against certain strains of lepto, and it lasts about 7 months. Most vets recommend against small breeds getting this vaccine because of the risks of death and reactions.

Small dogs seem to have more reactions to medications than larger dogs. When I use Frontline on my dogs, I have to give Rylie 1/2 a dose, and she still gets very lethargic from it.

When it comes to certain things, different sized dogs have different requirements for health. Just like large breed dogs cannot have a high protein food as puppies, small dogs are effected by this vaccine more so.

[showpug]

I just heard of a huge Lepto outbreak in a Washington state kennel. The woman lost all her dogs to the disease.

I have always vaccinated for lepto and have never had a problem with any of the dogs I have owned, large or small.

I do think that the vaccine that covers the 4 different strains is the best way to go, if you decide to vaccinate for the disease. - http://www.revivalanimal.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_21%2D276_A_name_E_Duramune+Max+ 5%2DCvk4L

[shadowfacedanes]

I don't vaccinate for lepto, nor corona, or giardia, or lyme.
I follow the protocol given by Dr. Jean Dodds.

I titer yearly except for in the case of state law, the rabies.

From Dr. Dodds herself:

Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs. Most of the clinical cases of Lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. But the vaccines contain different serovaars, eanicola and ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and protection is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16 weeks

No vet I have spoken with here recommends lepto - to a large breed or small. The vaccine is just too risky and the risks far outweigh the benefits. Lepto is curable if caught early, unfortunately, vaccine reactions are sometimes fatal.

I'd encourage you to do some research on the vaccine and weigh out whether you feel it's something you need to do. Just be aware, the vaccine does not cover the most problematic types of lepto, and the immunity is very short lived.

[Sush]

Wow thanks for all the different input. When I go back in to the vet for her allergy incident follow up I am going to grill her about it. She never mentioned any kind of reason to worry about the vaccine and seemed to almost demand that Sage get it. This vaccine is ONLY for strains of Lepto not covered by the usual DHLPP vaccine.

[Sush]

So we went in and had the first shot this morning. I talked to the vet about possible risks and she said that in all of her years she's seen one adverse reaction and it was in a larger dog. The reaction was mild flu-like symptoms. She gave Sage half the dose because of her size so we will see how she does. Next booster in a month.