Lepto Vaccine?

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

I took Ella to the vet this week to have her ears checked and they wanted to give her the Lepto vaccine. In the past, I used to just do what the vet said without question, however, I'm really trying to make educated decision for Ella and not overloading her system with unnecessary vaccines. The vet was respectful and courteous when I told them I wanted to a little research and make a decision later. We live in an area that has a lot of raccoons and I just started taking Ella swimming in the Pomton River and the Atlantic Ocean. I do my best to keep her from drinking the water and she does not spend a whole lot of time outside where the raccoons are. Do you guys use this vaccine? From what I understand it's a bacteria and giving the vaccine only lessens the symptoms if they contract it. What scares me is the vet said dogs can get very sick and even die from this and humans can get it as well. It does not seem like there are a lot of side effects from the Lepto vaccine, however, in the last 6 months Ella has gotten 2 rounds of parvo/distemper, rabies, kennel cough and we have been giving her Nextguard and heartworm prevention monthly. Wow, now that I'm writing this I'm realizing how many things we have introduced into her system in such a short timeframe. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

A past neighbor's son and dog, and one of Snuffles' early dog friends. These 2 were in the local paper.

http://herald-review.com/news/local...cle_a0d8f74b-1795-55df-aebd-e118314f4753.html

http://herald-review.com/news/opini...cle_d470b8b8-b4b2-11e0-b427-001cc4c03286.html

 

[Jeannie]

A customer of mine had their newf die of lepto. Vet was surprised because lepto is rare here but the strain the newf had is usually only found in Hawaii.

 

[Sun Valley]

Lepto vaccine is fine in older puppies/adults. You just never want to give it to puppies under 12 weeks of age. If puppies have a bad reaction to being vaccinated it's usually due to the lepto vaccine.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I always gave Lepto with Maggie. We live in an area with a lot of wildlife and they come into our yard a lot. lepto is common and can be quite serious.

Our current vet is more holistic minded and is very open to a reduced vaccine schedule. she does not do lepto unless you push for it, so i'm not sure what we will do about it this time.

I would say just do your research and make an informed decision. I know that's easier said than done.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

Thanks for all the info. I did some more research and found out that New Jersey is one of the states with more reported incidents of Lepto, so we are getting the vaccine next week. Thanks again for all the help and advice!

 

[victoria1140]

My healthy 9 year old gsd cross Merlin died in less than 48 hours from leptospirosis. We got him to the vets immediately when he was just not quite himself and though the vets were negligent in not admitting him immediately we lost him fast.

Make sure you get the 4 strain variety of leptospirosis vaccine as there is a 2 strain ,less effective.
Also to be completely covered the vaccine needs to be done every six months .

Our tribe are going back for vaccinations in the next few weeks

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

thanks so much! I'm so sorry to hear about Merlin. At least you can share his experience and help other dogs avoid this illness.

 

[janices]

It can be overlooked by vets as can look like other diseases so sometimes does not get caught by vets immediately. My newfs that go swimming every summer get it here. Old retired lady who doesn't swim anymore does not get anymore.

 

[Newfs Forever]

My dogs have always had the required vaccs when they were little. From there on, I had them titered unless they did not measure up to within the criteria, then we would vaccinate them. But, I have to tell you that was a very rare occasion.

JMVHO

 

[Kimkc]

We hadn't vaccinated our dogs against Lepto before, and last spring our Sheltie was diagnosed with Leptosperosis. We almost lost him. When we took him to the vet for vomiting, we assumed he'd gotten into something, but found he was in end stage kidney failure. He was a one year old puppy, otherwise healthy. After doggy-dialysis and a bill of nearly $3000, we have him back. Not only did the dog have to be treated with antibiotics, but our entire family did (including our other dog), for Lepto can cross species. The damage to his kidneys is done and we don't know how long we will have him, but are thankful we were able to save him. All our dogs are vaccinated including our Newfoundland.