Lepto Shot...To give or not to give??? Please help...

[TeddyandTiffy]

Hello all, My last 3 babies will need their 1st adult shot later this month and I'm wondering if I should let the vet give them the Lepto shot or not?? Tiffanie & Teddy both got theirs @ age 16 weeks...They didn't have no reaction that I know of...(I NEVER knew about any of the side affects of Lepto until I found this board!! & Now I have to question it ...)So I think that the Vet will want to give the puppies one later this month...I just read where one had a bad reaction to it...If they don't give the Lepto shot then what shots will they get...Would this be okay if I didn't get the Lepto shot and then say someone wants to get one of the other 2 puppies I have left to go to forever homes??? What would I tell them? I would just hate to see something bad happen to any of my babies over a shot. Any thoughts good or bad about the Lepto shot. How many of U get the Lepto shot for U're babies? How many of U don't get the Lepto shot for U're babies...What about Breeders do U give the Lepto shots to U're babies that are going to forever homes? I really don't know if I should or not..Please help me...
Hugs, Lee & Babies

[kalina82]

you don't need the lepto shot. when i was a tech the vets only gave the lepto shots to dogs and puppies that were over 25 pounds. anything smaller they didn't give it, and one vet didn't use it at all.

[Connie]

Okay...really stupid question here, but what exactly is the Lepto shot for? Is it for a canine disease that's out there, or what?

[ytsirk27]

was wondering the same thing!

[kalina82]

lepto vaccines are for the prevention of leptospirosis

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...spirosis_g.htm

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs.

Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.

How do people get leptospirosis?

Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.

[BabyFidgette]

My vet said no, and so did my aunt's vet.

[chachi]

My vet gave my yorks the lepto and they didnt have any reactions but I wont let him again since there is a dog on here right now in the hospital after having a reaction to it

[BLowry]

My vet does not give it anymore...if he did I was going to ask for the shot without it...I believe the shot they get with the Lepto is DHHLP they would just be getting DHHP.

[chachi]

Read this http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49417

[Lacy's Mom]

None of mine have ever received a Lepto vaccine and never will.

[MomToAria]

OMG! I had no idea this shot was so bad. I believe Aria had one when she was younger and now she is due for another one in 2 weeks. She is defnitely not getting this one!
Now what are the chances of them actually getting Lepto? Why do some vets give this to them and some don't if it's so bad?

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by MomToAria

OMG! I had no idea this shot was so bad. I believe Aria had one when she was younger and now she is due for another one in 2 weeks. She is defnitely not getting this one!
Now what are the chances of them actually getting Lepto? Why do some vets give this to them and some don't if it's so bad?

There is a post above about how they can get it. The vaccine only protects against like 2 strains, when there are over 50 strains of Lepto and the vaccine only provides immunity for 6 to 8 months. Even if they somehow get Lepto it's not usually life threatening. When you weigh the risks with the benefits, the scale is overwhelmingly tipped in favor of NO LEPTO for Yorkies (and several other breeds that aren't even toys have a high percentage of reactions and death from the vaccine).

[Lucy Lu]

My yorkie Lulu had problems with it. Shortly after she got it we had just gotten in the car and I noticed her eyes were glassed over and she was semi zombie like acting. She was not herself for at least 2 days after it. I mentioned it to our vet and she said we will not give her one again. When I bought my second yorkie from the breeder, out of curiosity I asked her if the new one should have it as we had had a problem with my first one. She said she personally doesn't give it to hers. So, I have adopted that philosophy. You should discuss it with your vet, as mine instructed me as to how Lepto is transmitted and things to avoid in unvaccinated pets, such as avoiding them drinking standing water outside from puddles, streams, etc.

[RRRJeep861]

After doing some reading on over vaccinations on our pets I am no longer going to do what the vet says. I was just at the vets and she said Jack was due for rabies and parvo. I didn't get either. If you key word "over vaccination on dogs"
you will find an overwhelming amount of information on this practice, and most vets just dole them out because that's what they were taught in vet school.

[MyTrixie143]

To answer your question I would have to say no. Unless there have been alot of cases of lepto in your area or unless your puppies/dogs will be out around deer and rodent urine, then there really is no need for them to have a lepto shot. My last vet I went to always gave lepto shots without even asking and did not know it could be harmful. My new and current vet that I love does not recommend giving lepto shots with toy breeds and always asks whether you want it or not. I know mine will not have a lepto shot because lepto is not common around here and my babies will never be outside where there is deer and rodents. There is too much risk in getting a lepto shot.