[107barney]

Originally Posted by kjc

Vaccine issues have not derailed this thread.... it is a fact that vaccinations can cause elevated liver enzymes in some dogs. The problem lies in that all vaccines are made strong enough to elicite an immune response in dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds, and that these are the same vaccines that are given to our beloved 20 pounds and under Yorkies.

Even following a minimalist approach to vaccinations, one is still, technically, overvaccinating one's dogs.

And, yes, I do agree, this all needs to be taken into consideration when discussing what is or isn't an appropriate vaccination for each dog, with your vet. One should also take into consideration how well each vaccine works, how long it remains effective, weigh the risk against the benefit, etc.

And I am correct in saying that the Lepto vaccine is not recommended for use because the types of Lepto the vaccine protects against is not the same type of Lepto that is being found in diseased animals. Please discuss this with your vet also.

My understanding is that the older lepto vaccine only protected against two serovars (strains) of leptospirosis that were commonly seen in ill dogs when the disease was first a problem. The new vaccine however covers 4 serovars and these cover some illnesses seen more recently in dogs.
Canine leptospirosis: A re-emerging disease in the United States (Proceedings) - Veterinary Healthcare