a question about Lepto
 

We just got the card in the mail saying Layla is due for her shots.... I do not want her getting Lepto however, i want to go into the vet's office informed. How do you find out if you are in a high risk area for lepto? and where do they get it from? Layla has horrible reactions to shots. I always get her one set and then a week later her rabies. Also it says she is due for

Bord/Para/Adeno Continuum. What are these? Is Bord, Bordatella?
It also says she is due for DAP Continuum

to me this really seems like too much... she is so lethargic after her shots....

First, when is the last time she was vaccinated for parvo, distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), bordatella and rabies?

Bord is Bordatella and I don't give it. Whatever you're comfortable with...

Lepto is a bacteria found in the urine of rats. It is prevalent on farms and in slow moving water (where bacteria thrives). Technically they can get it ever if they step in a puddle on the street with rat urine in it and then lick their paws. But, there are so many strains of it that you aren't guaranteed protection even with the vaccine. Most lepto vaccines also have to be given twice a year to ensure protection. Some vets try and scare you and tell you that if your dog gets lepto, you can get it from them. That is very true but you can also get it from infected water, so getting from a dog is the least of my worries. Yes, it is an extremely dangerous disease but some vets won't even give it to dogs under 10 pounds because it is just too dangerous. It has caused death in Yorkies (especially puppies) and should only be used in VERY high risk areas. I don't know where you can look to see if you are in a high risk area...I am looking for the same.

she got her one year booster... my vet at the time was not very forthcoming with info so i'm not sure WHAT exactly was in the booster... i do know she had rabies. does that change things?

I think everyone has covered the main points but I was going to tell you.... before I decided whether or not Franklin should get Lepto, I called almost every vet office in my area to see if they gave it. I, like you, could not find anywhere if where I live is a high risk area or not, so I decided to ask the experts! A lot of vets told me they didn't give it to small dogs and dogs that weren't going to be on a farm or near a lot of wildlife, so we opted not to. Maybe you can try that? :)

Rabies should be given as a puppy shot (at about 6 months old), then a one year booster and then whatever the law requires. I'd hope the law says every three years there after the first booster because every year is way too much.

Bordatella is up to you.

If she just had pup shots then she needs parvo, distemper and hepatitis (adenovirus). If she had the one year booster, she doesn't need these at all (for at least three years). You may want to do titers to make sure. Sometimes they add parainfluenza in this combo, so you don't have much of a choice on that one.

This is why my vet wanted Banjo to have it! We live out by a lake- there are lots of places that are just summer homes-cabins- I am sure there are Rats in some! Also I have a pond just 75 feet from my back door!also use to be a deer farm up the road- I sure there were rats in their feed storage-well more so than not! Also several other ponds around in neighbors yards! When I said out by the lake- he was oh, yea, you need it! Even though Banjo really never goes out except to the car! My roomy has 2 dogs that do go out- one swims in the pond in the summer!!:eek: I do keep a gate up- they do not really get next to Banjo- but he does stick his nose through to visit them!!:eek:
Really, after reading this water thing- I am glad Banjo got it!!! And he is 9 1/2 #!
Yep, Now I know why DR. V asked where I lived at now- and then said "Ellen, you really have to give him this!"

Because of all the water out around here!

Well he got it- and he seems just fine! :)

I know many of us (including me) are leary of Bordetella (and other vaccinations)-but it's necessary where I live. Both my dogs go to doggie daycare-and you never know who is bringing their dog there, and what their dog might have. Our local dog park requires that the dogs be current on vaccinations, and the groomer requires current shots and bordetella vaccines in order to get their hair cut.

I talked to my vet about it-(the new vet, who was WONDERFUL), and he said that he likes to give each vaccine as a separate shot-no combination ones. Also, the bordetella can be given as a shot or as nose drops-talk to your vet about the options and the reasons for each. Emma & Milli got the nose drops in the past, but the new vet recommended the shot this time.

Also, if you're worried about reactions, maybe do only 1-2 shots at the same time, and then go back one or two more times for the others that Layla needs. Make sure to wait 30 minutes at the vet's office after the shots to make sure she's not going to have a severe reaction. That way, if she does have a reaction, you'll be able to pinpoint where and what caused it. Also, if you wait at the vet's office, they will be able to help her if she has a reaction to something.

My vet had us wait 30 minutes after vaccinations for Emma and Milli-it pretty much took that long to finish looking them over, get flea/heartworm meds, and get checked out of the vet's office anyway :)

Thanks Suzy. Great idea to wait at the vet's! we ALWAYS do our rabies a week after her booster because the rabies knocks her right out... the booster just makes her drowsy and sore for a bit... Layla has had bordetlla vaccine and has also had kennel cough :rolleyes: go figure. and since she doesn't go to dog parks or groomers i think i'll see if i can opt out of this one. We go on Tuesday and i told the receiptionist i just wanted her "Physical" and blood for heartworm and blood panal and wanted to talk about the shots and she thought that was a great idea (:p i'm sure she woud... two appointments... more money :p) anyways! i love the idea to wait.. Layla will hate it but i would feel much better! this will be the first time getting these shots from our new vet so perhaps she will suggest we stay :)
Thanks again!

Oh, and make sure you have them put the first shots in her shoulders (like they normally do), and then the rabies in a back leg. Make sure to note which one. Sometimes the rabies vaccine makes a lump-if it does, then you'll know for sure it's the vaccine and not something else, and you won't worry like I did with Emma :rolleyes:

You might also see if they won't charge you for a second visit for the rabies shots-since it's just a "lab", and Layla will have had her exam the week before, you may not need to be charged for an office visit. Make sure you ask-it won't hurt, and you might save some $!

you sound like a pro at this :p you know all the ins and outs!!! haha

I have my vet do the absolute necessary. He also does not give all the shots to her all at once, something I requested, this way if she had a reaction, we had a better idea of which may have been the cause. Perhaps you can request the same from your vet. If he is not accomodating, I would find another. Good luck, hope your pup does well with the shots.

Sorry...don't mean to sound like a know-it-all on this....we just did our shots a few weeks back, so it's fresh in my mind :rolleyes:

lol... i know that :P

Zander's Mom i love the idea of going for each shot individually.. i know it will take more time and cost more but it is worth it... she has a very hard time with something they give her...