Lepto? A little confused... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

TatumsMom · 07-07-2005, 05:52 AM

Okay, I've searched the threads for past conversations on the Lepto vaccine but still am not sure. We live in Texas and I don't know how common this Lepto disease (or whatever it is) is for our area. We got our notice that Tatum is due for shots (she's 17 months old) and one of the shots listed was lepto. I have to assume since I'm not looking at her records at the moment that she got this the first time too. That was before I had read the negative things about it. It's also very possible my vet did not give it to her but I'll have to ask when she goes in for this series. She had no adverse reactions to any shots so far and she's about 4 lbs. now. So, do I strongly reject to her getting the Lepto or what? And do I ask him to not give more than 1 or 2 things at a time? We had a toy poodle who weighed about 7 pounds or so for 15 years and never had a single problem with injections except that there was one specific thing that made him a little nauseous so he got a "pre-med" before hand to help with that.

Those of you in Texas, is this Lepto thing a threat for us specifically?

Okay, I'm back to add that I just looked up the Lepto virus and it says that you (humans and animals) can get it from other animals like cows, horses, etc... We do have cows and horses and another dog and a couple cats. So does that make us more likely to come across this bacteria??

I want to be more informed when we go for this round of shots so any help you can give will be much appreciated!

LoveMyBaby · 07-07-2005, 07:52 AM

Hi Tatumsmom,
did you discuss any of your concerns with your vet?
I would, see what the vet says. The last vet I went to didnt seem bothered or worried that my Lil Man was given the lepto. It's basically a choice and for prevention, from what other vets told me. Another thing I learned is that the Lepto virus comes from RATS/ rodents either their urine or feces. If your area is prone to that then maybe it should be given ... again talk to your vet and good luck.

Olivier · 07-07-2005, 07:56 AM

My girls didn't receive the Lepto shot . My vet told me that there is no need for it .

typerk · 07-07-2005, 07:57 AM

My dog actually got more shots yesterday and I am going through all the stuff she received and the Lepto vacine isn't one of them. So perhaps it isn't a threat here.

Stitches29 · 07-07-2005, 08:01 AM

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/lepto.html

This is the link I found on the disease. Hope it helps you.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 07-07-2005, 08:12 AM

In my opinion from the limited research I have done, I would never give a yorkie the lepto vaccine. The risk does not outweigh the benefits when I do the analysis. If you research it on the internet there are a lot of vets who disagree with most vaccinations including rabies and feel that this over vaccination is actually harmful to their health. Everyone has to do what is confortable for them, but I would certainly do all the research you can before scheduling the appointment and here at YT is a good start, but the internet has lots of good articles on the controversy.

I would not allow more than one vaccine at a time either. It means more trips to the vet but it is what is in the dog's best interest.

TatumsMom · 07-07-2005, 08:17 AM

No, haven't talked to the vet yet - just got the notice in the mail yesterday. I'm not even sure that she got it with the last set of shots but will look at our paperwork later at home. Thanks for that link. It was a little more informative than what I found but still basically had the mention of cattle in it which is one of my main concerns. Here's a little piece of it....

The theory is that the disease has entered suburban areas with populations of skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer, and small rodents and that dogs become vectors of these strains through contact with the urine of these animals. Lepto can infect livestock as well, so cattle and hogs that wade or wallow in areas contaminated by the urine of carrier animals can also get the disease.

We do have cattle and horses and other small things although thank goodness, never seen a rat - probably thanks to the cats!

But Tatum does walk around in areas that the cattle have been so maybe the vet has that in mind since he knows us and our surroundings well. He did always give the Lepto to our toy poodle as far as I know and we never had any negative reactions so I wasn't even aware of the controversy with toy breeds until reading it here after Tatum had already had her shots.

I'll find out more when we go see him next week and weigh the pros and cons. Thanks for the info...

SoCalyorkiLvr · 07-07-2005, 08:21 AM

Below is a link to one article and I forgot to ention tha the only vaccine required by law is the rabies. Obviously you would not want to avoid vaccines that might benefit your dog's health, but as this article suggests, most should be good for a lifetime or at least 7 years. Most vets have gone to a 3 year cycle for vaccines. You can also request a titer test be done if you are not sure if your dog is still protected from earlier vaccines.
This is good for rabies too.

Also, if anyone has a dog who has had an adverse reaction to the rabies vaccine, there is a way to avoid the vaccines legally in the future by having the vet write a letter on his stationery explaining the risk to the dog's health and most Animal Control departments will give a waiver.

http://www.mercola.com/2003/apr/2/dog_vaccines.htm

chewysmom · 07-07-2005, 08:22 AM

No Lepto for these pups, they don't need it and it can be very dangerous for them to get.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 07-07-2005, 08:23 AM

Here is another link for anyone interested in this issue:

http://www.petresource.com/articleso.../texasvet.html

This is what it says about the lepto in Texas:
The recommendation for administration of Leptospirosis vaccination in Texas is theft by deception, fraud by misrepresentation, misrepresentation by silence and undue influence given the fact that:

1. Although Leptospirosis is re-emerging as an endemic disease for dogs in some areas of the country, Leptospirosis in dogs in Texas is a very rare disease. According to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab there are only an average of twelve cases of Leptospirosis documented in dogs in Texas per year. Factors to identify those dogs that are at risk have not been identified. Given that there are over 6 million dogs in Texas, the risk of leptospirosis disease to a dog is less than 2 in a million.

2. The commonly used vaccine only contains serovars Lepto. canicola, and Lepto icterohaemorrhagiae, and no cross protection is provided against the other three serovars diagnosed in Texas. Newer vaccines containing Lepto pomona, and Lepto rippotyphosa are available but the duration of immunity is less than one year. To provide protection for a dog against Leptospirosis would require two vaccines with four serovars twice per year.

3. Although humans can develop Leptospirosis, the spread of Lepto. from a dog to a human has never been documented and is thought to be a very low risk. Given that the risk of an adverse reaction, a reasonable client would not elect Vaccination of their pet if provided with the above information.

TatumsMom · 07-07-2005, 08:38 AM

Thanks again! I've printed some of that stuff out so that I'll be well-informed when I talk to the vet. I guess when I was raising my poodle, not having a chat site to get info from was definitely a downside. I'm sure I could have found this info on the web but just had never even heard negative things about the Lepto vaccine so didn't know to look or ask.

We'll have a nice talk before committing to any unnecessary shots this time...

pebblesmama · 07-07-2005, 11:24 AM

I had a very lengthy conversation with my vet yesterday about this subject when I took my litter in for their first shots. She feels that in our area, (very full of ranches and agriculture) the the risk to aquiring lepto outweighs the risk of the shot. She has studied the studies about the dangers and assured me that you can scare yourself about anything when reading about it on the internet. She is not the type to do unnecessary things and I believe she would not give it if she didn't feel it was necessary. She said in her 24 years of practice she has seen one reaction to the vaccine, and that puppy survived. She does not give the vaccine that starts with a C (I can't remember the name) because she said that is totally unneccessary and most vets give it just for the money. So we gave the shots, and so far, so good.

chachi · 07-07-2005, 11:26 AM

Both of my dogs had lepto in their shots and didn't have reactions.

LoveMyBaby · 07-07-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewysmom

No Lepto for these pups, they don't need it and it can be very dangerous for them to get.

im getting very confused now b/c when my sister took chicle to see dr. parr and she mentioned to her that he was given lepto, dr. parr didnt seem too worried or bothered by the fact that he was given the lepto vaccine. so this is now totally confusing me....

TatumsMom · 07-07-2005, 11:37 AM

Thanks Pebblesmama! I'm definitely going to talk to my vet but I'm thinking that his reasoning will be similar to your vet's. We are in the same type of environment and he is a very experienced vet of both small and large animals. But if he tells me the same thing yours did, I will feel better knowing that it's more or less a "second opinion" I'm getting.

As for the other shot you talked about, I think you're talking about the Corona vaccine. Kim posted a good link about that. Here it is...

http://www.petresource.com/articleso.../texasvet.html

I'm gonna ask about that one too - I think it was one listed on the reminder notice I got.

07-07-2005, 05:52 AM	#1
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Lepto? A little confused... Okay, I've searched the threads for past conversations on the Lepto vaccine but still am not sure. We live in Texas and I don't know how common this Lepto disease (or whatever it is) is for our area. We got our notice that Tatum is due for shots (she's 17 months old) and one of the shots listed was lepto. I have to assume since I'm not looking at her records at the moment that she got this the first time too. That was before I had read the negative things about it. It's also very possible my vet did not give it to her but I'll have to ask when she goes in for this series. She had no adverse reactions to any shots so far and she's about 4 lbs. now. So, do I strongly reject to her getting the Lepto or what? And do I ask him to not give more than 1 or 2 things at a time? We had a toy poodle who weighed about 7 pounds or so for 15 years and never had a single problem with injections except that there was one specific thing that made him a little nauseous so he got a "pre-med" before hand to help with that. Those of you in Texas, is this Lepto thing a threat for us specifically? Okay, I'm back to add that I just looked up the Lepto virus and it says that you (humans and animals) can get it from other animals like cows, horses, etc... We do have cows and horses and another dog and a couple cats. So does that make us more likely to come across this bacteria?? I want to be more informed when we go for this round of shots so any help you can give will be much appreciated! __________________ ~ Angie Last edited by TatumsMom; 07-07-2005 at 05:55 AM.

07-07-2005, 07:52 AM	#2
LoveMyBaby My Teeny Lil Super Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 1,177	Hi Tatumsmom, did you discuss any of your concerns with your vet? I would, see what the vet says. The last vet I went to didnt seem bothered or worried that my Lil Man was given the lepto. It's basically a choice and for prevention, from what other vets told me. Another thing I learned is that the Lepto virus comes from RATS/ rodents either their urine or feces. If your area is prone to that then maybe it should be given ... again talk to your vet and good luck. __________________ Judy and Chicle http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=3282 check out his Dogster page ... new pic added and diary entry

07-07-2005, 07:57 AM	#4
typerk YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 252	My dog actually got more shots yesterday and I am going through all the stuff she received and the Lepto vacine isn't one of them. So perhaps it isn't a threat here. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534.

07-07-2005, 08:01 AM	#5
Stitches29 My Little Magwad Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,739	http://www.canismajor.com/dog/lepto.html This is the link I found on the disease. Hope it helps you. __________________ "My Furkids" Maggie, Molly and Meme...

07-07-2005, 08:17 AM	#7
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	No, haven't talked to the vet yet - just got the notice in the mail yesterday. I'm not even sure that she got it with the last set of shots but will look at our paperwork later at home. Thanks for that link. It was a little more informative than what I found but still basically had the mention of cattle in it which is one of my main concerns. Here's a little piece of it.... The theory is that the disease has entered suburban areas with populations of skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer, and small rodents and that dogs become vectors of these strains through contact with the urine of these animals. Lepto can infect livestock as well, so cattle and hogs that wade or wallow in areas contaminated by the urine of carrier animals can also get the disease. We do have cattle and horses and other small things although thank goodness, never seen a rat - probably thanks to the cats! But Tatum does walk around in areas that the cattle have been so maybe the vet has that in mind since he knows us and our surroundings well. He did always give the Lepto to our toy poodle as far as I know and we never had any negative reactions so I wasn't even aware of the controversy with toy breeds until reading it here after Tatum had already had her shots. I'll find out more when we go see him next week and weigh the pros and cons. Thanks for the info... __________________ ~ Angie

07-07-2005, 07:56 AM	#3
Olivier Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,999	My girls didn't receive the Lepto shot . My vet told me that there is no need for it .

07-07-2005, 08:12 AM	#6
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	In my opinion from the limited research I have done, I would never give a yorkie the lepto vaccine. The risk does not outweigh the benefits when I do the analysis. If you research it on the internet there are a lot of vets who disagree with most vaccinations including rabies and feel that this over vaccination is actually harmful to their health. Everyone has to do what is confortable for them, but I would certainly do all the research you can before scheduling the appointment and here at YT is a good start, but the internet has lots of good articles on the controversy. I would not allow more than one vaccine at a time either. It means more trips to the vet but it is what is in the dog's best interest.

07-07-2005, 08:21 AM	#8
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	Vaccination article Below is a link to one article and I forgot to ention tha the only vaccine required by law is the rabies. Obviously you would not want to avoid vaccines that might benefit your dog's health, but as this article suggests, most should be good for a lifetime or at least 7 years. Most vets have gone to a 3 year cycle for vaccines. You can also request a titer test be done if you are not sure if your dog is still protected from earlier vaccines. This is good for rabies too. Also, if anyone has a dog who has had an adverse reaction to the rabies vaccine, there is a way to avoid the vaccines legally in the future by having the vet write a letter on his stationery explaining the risk to the dog's health and most Animal Control departments will give a waiver. http://www.mercola.com/2003/apr/2/dog_vaccines.htm

07-07-2005, 08:22 AM	#9
chewysmom My Precious Pup Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,092	No Lepto for these pups, they don't need it and it can be very dangerous for them to get.

07-07-2005, 08:23 AM	#10
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	Texas Vet sues over vaccination Here is another link for anyone interested in this issue: http://www.petresource.com/articleso.../texasvet.html This is what it says about the lepto in Texas: The recommendation for administration of Leptospirosis vaccination in Texas is theft by deception, fraud by misrepresentation, misrepresentation by silence and undue influence given the fact that: 1. Although Leptospirosis is re-emerging as an endemic disease for dogs in some areas of the country, Leptospirosis in dogs in Texas is a very rare disease. According to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab there are only an average of twelve cases of Leptospirosis documented in dogs in Texas per year. Factors to identify those dogs that are at risk have not been identified. Given that there are over 6 million dogs in Texas, the risk of leptospirosis disease to a dog is less than 2 in a million. 2. The commonly used vaccine only contains serovars Lepto. canicola, and Lepto icterohaemorrhagiae, and no cross protection is provided against the other three serovars diagnosed in Texas. Newer vaccines containing Lepto pomona, and Lepto rippotyphosa are available but the duration of immunity is less than one year. To provide protection for a dog against Leptospirosis would require two vaccines with four serovars twice per year. 3. Although humans can develop Leptospirosis, the spread of Lepto. from a dog to a human has never been documented and is thought to be a very low risk. Given that the risk of an adverse reaction, a reasonable client would not elect Vaccination of their pet if provided with the above information. Last edited by SoCalyorkiLvr; 07-07-2005 at 08:25 AM.

07-07-2005, 08:38 AM	#11
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Thanks again! I've printed some of that stuff out so that I'll be well-informed when I talk to the vet. I guess when I was raising my poodle, not having a chat site to get info from was definitely a downside. I'm sure I could have found this info on the web but just had never even heard negative things about the Lepto vaccine so didn't know to look or ask. We'll have a nice talk before committing to any unnecessary shots this time... __________________ ~ Angie

07-07-2005, 11:24 AM	#12
pebblesmama Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 86	I had a very lengthy conversation with my vet yesterday about this subject when I took my litter in for their first shots. She feels that in our area, (very full of ranches and agriculture) the the risk to aquiring lepto outweighs the risk of the shot. She has studied the studies about the dangers and assured me that you can scare yourself about anything when reading about it on the internet. She is not the type to do unnecessary things and I believe she would not give it if she didn't feel it was necessary. She said in her 24 years of practice she has seen one reaction to the vaccine, and that puppy survived. She does not give the vaccine that starts with a C (I can't remember the name) because she said that is totally unneccessary and most vets give it just for the money. So we gave the shots, and so far, so good.

07-07-2005, 11:26 AM	#13
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Both of my dogs had lepto in their shots and didn't have reactions. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-07-2005, 11:37 AM	#15
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Thanks Pebblesmama! I'm definitely going to talk to my vet but I'm thinking that his reasoning will be similar to your vet's. We are in the same type of environment and he is a very experienced vet of both small and large animals. But if he tells me the same thing yours did, I will feel better knowing that it's more or less a "second opinion" I'm getting. As for the other shot you talked about, I think you're talking about the Corona vaccine. Kim posted a good link about that. Here it is... http://www.petresource.com/articleso.../texasvet.html I'm gonna ask about that one too - I think it was one listed on the reminder notice I got. __________________ ~ Angie