Barney is getting tested for Leptospirosis! - Page 4 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

107barney · 02-25-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breezeaway

I just got home from my vet with my Charlie, He went in for his 4th vaccination series shot. He is 16 weeks old. He got a lepto this time. My vet does not give the lepto until they are older. I have never had any reaction to the lepto when given to pups 16 weeks or older. I have been going to my vet for 30+ years. He does not recommend bypassing the lepto, just wait until the pup is older.
Heres a good site on Lepto.
Leptospirosis in Dogs

That is interesting that the reactions seem to lessen in your pups when over 16 weeks. I did do puppy shots of DHLPP on my two older ones (and that was the "old" vaccine) but did the DHPP without lepto on Teddy and so did his breeder. This information makes me feel better and I am going to ask my vet about this too. I am also thinking of just running the lepto series on the other two. The test is expensive ($100). Uggh...

MyTrixie143 · 02-25-2011, 10:53 AM

I am so sorry to hear Barney isn't well. I hope all the tests come back good and that he doesn't have lepto. I am glad to hear he is feeling alright, poor little guy, give him a hug for me!!

How is the new lepto vaccine different from the old one?
Does it cover more strands?

Last I was told, lepto has several strands of the virus and the current vaccine only protected against one of those. So even if you got the shot you could still end up with lepto with the strands that weren't covered plus you still had the added worry of a reaction to the shot.

The local vets here don't give the lepto vaccine in toy breeds because of the dangers of a reaction to it.

107barney · 02-25-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I am so sorry to hear Barney isn't well. I hope all the tests come back good and that he doesn't have lepto. I am glad to hear he is feeling alright, poor little guy, give him a hug for me!!

How is the new lepto vaccine different from the old one?
Does it cover more strands?

Last I was told, lepto has several strands of the virus and the current vaccine only protected against one of those. So even if you got the shot you could still end up with lepto with the strands that weren't covered plus you still had the added worry of a reaction to the shot.

The local vets here don't give the lepto vaccine in toy breeds because of the dangers of a reaction to it.

Thank you Tracey for your kind words and I will be happy to pass along a big hug to Barney which he will just love

The older vaccine for lepto only covered two of strains of bacteria. The newer vaccines from both pfizer and fort dodge/wyeth cover 4 strains. Two of the four strains now covered are those emerging in dogs in the United States currently. The older vaccine had a higher incidence of reactions but newer technology makes a cleaner vaccine so I'm finding info that says about 1% of dogs have reactions. The vets here all routinely administer the 4-strain vaccines. If your dog has had the DHLPP vaccine, the lepto portion in these combos is usually the 4-strain vaccine.

Even if Barney had been vaccinated, which he hasn't been in quite a few years, we would have to do this blood test anyway since there are other strains of the bacteria that also could cause disease.

Maximo · 02-25-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 107barney

The older vaccine for lepto only covered two of strains of bacteria. The newer vaccines from both pfizer and fort dodge/wyeth cover 4 strains. Two of the four strains now covered are those emerging in dogs in the United States currently. The older vaccine had a higher incidence of reactions but newer technology makes a cleaner vaccine so I'm finding info that says about 1% of dogs have reactions. The vets here all routinely administer the 4-strain vaccines. If your dog has had the DHLPP vaccine, the lepto portion in these combos is usually the 4-strain vaccine.

Even if Barney had been vaccinated, which he hasn't been in quite a few years, we would have to do this blood test anyway since there are other strains of the bacteria that also could cause disease.

Cathy, I'm keeping you and Barney in my thoughts and prayers.

I've been reading that there are at least 6 strains of bacteria and that even the latest vaccines may not be good for more than 6 - 8 months.

Such a tough call whether to vaccinate or not. When I discussed it with my vet last year, he said he was more than willing to hold the vaccine and that he only pushes it for outdoor dogs, mainly working dogs who are consistently in the fields and woods. I understand the many means of transmission of Lepto and that everyone here is exposed to one carrier or another. I'll be grappling with this when we go for our annuals this spring.

Praying for good news about Barney, and I send *big hugs* to your little guy too.

Mollysmom411999 · 02-25-2011, 12:22 PM

I talked about this with my vet and little dogs as my Abbey is 4 1/2 lbs. and she gave it to her in 2 separate doses because of her size. Has anyone else had this? I am rethinking this too as I have opted out of it for my girls for 3 years hmmmm...

yorkietalkjilly · 02-25-2011, 12:35 PM

Yes, my vet will only give the vacc to a small dog in 2 separate doses and Tibbe, thank God, has never had a reaction since I've had him. As scared as I am of vaccine reactions - and oh, I am - I am more afraid of the possibility of the disease itself as it seems the data suggests that the vacc reaction still produces less morbidity than the disease itself. But every time Tibbe starts his series of yearly vaccinations I go weak in the knees! I wish Barney and mom all the best and you're in my prayers.

roseslevi · 02-25-2011, 12:49 PM

Cathy just reading this, I was on vacation last week. Sending hugs and prayers to you and Barney.

RachelandSadie · 02-25-2011, 12:57 PM

oh Cathy i'm so sorry to hear about this. i hope you get some concrete answers and soon. you have kinda helped us out with this whole thread because now i'm reconsidering giving the lepto that my vet just recently started to suggest. i think i may take my kids in and get them both through their rounds of it just to be safe. Sadie does fine with anything but the giardia ones. and i'm sure Bentley can handle it as well. might just be a safe idea.

QuickSilver · 02-25-2011, 01:13 PM

I'm very sad to hear Barney isn't well. This might be cold comfort, but by discussing this here, you may have helped many other owners make better decisions about this particular vaccine.

I wish you and Barney the best.

ArmaniMan · 02-25-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysmom411999

I talked about this with my vet and little dogs as my Abbey is 4 1/2 lbs. and she gave it to her in 2 separate doses because of her size. Has anyone else had this? I am rethinking this too as I have opted out of it for my girls for 3 years hmmmm...

Its great that your vet recommended two doses- it shows that she is considering the risks to small dogs.

As far as whether to give a vaccine or not, its really something you need to discuss with your vet because the risks vary so much by area and individual dog. I would explain your concerns to your vet and see what they say.
I had considered stopping all vaccines and then got worried that my dog would get a disease that could be easily prevented with a vaccine, so now I am just doing titers- Chloe's recent titers came back and she is good on everything but distemper- so she just got that shot yesterday.

I hope everything is okay with Barney! I am sending prayers and good vibes for him- keep us updated!

kjc · 02-25-2011, 03:19 PM

I'm so sorry to hear Barney is ill... just curious... were his BATs done recently? Sending prayers for both of you....

107barney · 02-25-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjc

I'm so sorry to hear Barney is ill... just curious... were his BATs done recently? Sending prayers for both of you....

Yes they were.

shodanusmc · 02-25-2011, 04:28 PM

I hope he gets better real fast!

Doodlebug · 02-25-2011, 04:55 PM

I am sorry to hear about Barney. I hope he will be OK and it isn't Lepto.

We shopped around for a new vet who didn't recommend the Lepto shot. After a lot of searching we finally found one who didn't recommend it. This was last June when TeddyBear got his shots. When we took Daisy in for her shots in Nov, the vet had changed her mind and recommended that we get the Lepto vaccine due to an upsurge in Lepto cases in the area. So we brought Teddy back in and they both got the Lepto shot. I was worried about getting it but have decided to go with the vet's recommendation.

lil fu fu girl · 02-25-2011, 04:56 PM

I am so sorry to hear this.

I know that you must be worried. Don't beat yourself up, you did what you thought was best. Even if the test comes up positive, it is a bacteria that can be treated. It is early enough for them to get an antibiotic in him and working.

Lepto is very misunderstood. You do not have to live out in the woods to acquire it. It is not only carried by wild animals, but cats are known carriers. They do not display infection, but their urine carries the bacteria. The new vaccine carriers the 4 most common bacterium. Whenever I get the pups their shot, I stay an extra 40 minutes at the vet just to make sure there are no reactions, plus I give them a steroid before hand.

Keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

02-25-2011, 10:53 AM	#47
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,409	I am so sorry to hear Barney isn't well. I hope all the tests come back good and that he doesn't have lepto. I am glad to hear he is feeling alright, poor little guy, give him a hug for me!! How is the new lepto vaccine different from the old one? Does it cover more strands? Last I was told, lepto has several strands of the virus and the current vaccine only protected against one of those. So even if you got the shot you could still end up with lepto with the strands that weren't covered plus you still had the added worry of a reaction to the shot. The local vets here don't give the lepto vaccine in toy breeds because of the dangers of a reaction to it. __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi

02-25-2011, 12:22 PM	#50
Mollysmom411999 YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 373	I talked about this with my vet and little dogs as my Abbey is 4 1/2 lbs. and she gave it to her in 2 separate doses because of her size. Has anyone else had this? I am rethinking this too as I have opted out of it for my girls for 3 years hmmmm... __________________ Mattie,Abbey,Miley,Dottie,Holly and StevieX6 R.I.P. my Molly Muffin 14/01/11

02-25-2011, 12:49 PM	#52
roseslevi Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: E. Falmouth, Mass Posts: 2,102	Cathy just reading this, I was on vacation last week. Sending hugs and prayers to you and Barney. __________________ Rosemarie, Levi and Lily "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" ~ Anonymous

02-25-2011, 01:13 PM	#54
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	I'm very sad to hear Barney isn't well. This might be cold comfort, but by discussing this here, you may have helped many other owners make better decisions about this particular vaccine. I wish you and Barney the best. __________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger.

02-25-2011, 03:19 PM	#56
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	I'm so sorry to hear Barney is ill... just curious... were his BATs done recently? Sending prayers for both of you.... __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

02-25-2011, 12:35 PM	#51
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Yes, my vet will only give the vacc to a small dog in 2 separate doses and Tibbe, thank God, has never had a reaction since I've had him. As scared as I am of vaccine reactions - and oh, I am - I am more afraid of the possibility of the disease itself as it seems the data suggests that the vacc reaction still produces less morbidity than the disease itself. But every time Tibbe starts his series of yearly vaccinations I go weak in the knees! I wish Barney and mom all the best and you're in my prayers.

02-25-2011, 12:57 PM	#53
RachelandSadie No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5,748	oh Cathy i'm so sorry to hear about this. i hope you get some concrete answers and soon. you have kinda helped us out with this whole thread because now i'm reconsidering giving the lepto that my vet just recently started to suggest. i think i may take my kids in and get them both through their rounds of it just to be safe. Sadie does fine with anything but the giardia ones. and i'm sure Bentley can handle it as well. might just be a safe idea.

02-25-2011, 04:28 PM	#58
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	I hope he gets better real fast!

02-25-2011, 04:55 PM	#59
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	I am sorry to hear about Barney. I hope he will be OK and it isn't Lepto. We shopped around for a new vet who didn't recommend the Lepto shot. After a lot of searching we finally found one who didn't recommend it. This was last June when TeddyBear got his shots. When we took Daisy in for her shots in Nov, the vet had changed her mind and recommended that we get the Lepto vaccine due to an upsurge in Lepto cases in the area. So we brought Teddy back in and they both got the Lepto shot. I was worried about getting it but have decided to go with the vet's recommendation. __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

02-25-2011, 04:56 PM	#60
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	I am so sorry to hear this.I know that you must be worried. Don't beat yourself up, you did what you thought was best. Even if the test comes up positive, it is a bacteria that can be treated. It is early enough for them to get an antibiotic in him and working. Lepto is very misunderstood. You do not have to live out in the woods to acquire it. It is not only carried by wild animals, but cats are known carriers. They do not display infection, but their urine carries the bacteria. The new vaccine carriers the 4 most common bacterium. Whenever I get the pups their shot, I stay an extra 40 minutes at the vet just to make sure there are no reactions, plus I give them a steroid before hand. Keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers tonight.