[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by bellasmomok

So you're FOR vaccinating then? See that's what I struggle with....especially having a small dog who has already reacted to the vaccine once. I struggle with risking her life by vaccinating her, and even more so because it has to be given EVERY year, or basically risking her life taking her out to play. And I struggle with wanting her to be safe/healthy and wanting her to be a normal happy dog! And then, you have to ask yourself where to draw the line too...we can't be protected against everything, so should we really stay indoors and live in a bubble?? (just a rhetoric question, not suggesting anyone actually thinks that!! ) These are such horribly gray areas to me, I have a really hard time knowing what to do. I wish there were statistics out there like there are for humans...like x% of dogs who ride in vehicles unrestrained die, or y% of dogs who are unvaccinated against z die from contracting it. The safest thing is to use some sort of restraint device when your dog is in the car...you never know when you might have a collision. But how many of us restrain them every single time we put them in the car? I personally have a Snoozer console seat, but the only time I buckle Bella in is when I'll be on the highway, i.e. driving over 40mph. I know that's not the same thing...but it would be interesting to know the statistics on something like that so we could judge better what we're comfortable with. It's impossible to take every precaution....so where do I draw the line, ya know??

I understand completely! Am I really FOR vaccinations, no not really. In fact if you query some members here on YT, they would inform you that I am dead set against several of the human ones.

However, the deeper I delve into research in this area of Lepto bacterial infections, the more research I find connecting chronic illness among the elderly population of our animals, and a Lepto infection which has gone undiagnosed, unvaccinated, and unnoticed. Left untreated Lepto is cruel in its methods.

What do you do? That is the tough question, isn't it? I can only inform you as to what I know from my research, supply facts and documentation as to what the process of this disease is.

I personally, do give the shot. I medicate with steroids before hand, and stay 30-40 minutes after it.
My little girl is 4.5 pounds. She has Lymes, and the thought of her having kidney or liver complications compounded onto this disease through Lepto, frightens me.

I think everyone has to weigh the facts for their particular situation, and then do their best to protect their pups, no matter what that may be.
I understand your feelings, and empathize with you completely. Making a decision about this vaccine, either way, is not easy by any stretch of the imagination! It is surrounded by "What-ifs"!