Reaction from Lyme (Borrelia) vaccine?
 

Has anyone's pet experienced any reaction from this vaccine? Or are you aware of any other pets that may have had a reaction?

It's that time of year again, and we are infested with deer ticks here in northern NY. The deer population just keeps growing. My boys are due for their Lyme vaccine next month, and I'm just dreading it. My vet always recommends it and so far they haven't had any adverse reactions. Still I hate to give it to them.

Also, do any of you know if it HAS to be a yearly vacccine?

Thanks!

It is a yearly vaccine. I understand and share your concerns. I have heard a lot of negative reactions but on the other hand, Lyme's isn't good either. I had decided not to get the vaccine because it does on rare occassions cause Lyme's vacinosis (not sure on that spelling) anyways, there is no cure for that. However, it's very rare. But Lyme's is pretty easy to treat if you find it early. But hard to find sometimes. Sorry I'm just no help. I can't really decide myself either! And by the way, where abouts are you located? I'm just outside Albany! If you're close, we have a small dog meet up (mostly yorkies) meeting in Colonie at the end of the month. Pm me if you're interested and I'll send you the details!

I had my dog vaccinated against it when we were living in an area with a really high number of lyme cases-- I was working at an animal hospital in SW Michigan, and after we had a lot of patients test positive within a few weeks of each other (including one dog who had to be put down when the pain from the disease overcame her), I decided to go ahead and vaccinate against it. My dog did fine after the vaccine. To be really honest, I can't remember seeing adverse reactions to the lyme vaccine when I was working there-- at least not nearly as many as to lepto or rabies vaccines. That's not to say that they don't happen, just that it seems less common than reactions to some of the other vaccines out there.

That said, it isn't something I'd choose for a dog that was not in an area where the disease is common. The disease isn't as common in some local populations as in others, and just because there are deer and deer ticks present does not necessarily mean that the risk of the disease is high. It'd be something that you'd need to research (the CDC keeps close track of lyme numbers, and a lot of their stuff is available online). If the local risk wasn't very high, I'd probably just use a quality flea and tick treatment, and keep up to date on testing. The heartworm combo SNAP tests that a lot of vet administer yearly test for lyme disease, and usually if a dog tests positive and is treated before the disease can progress, the prognosis is good. You can also do thorough skin checks of your dog to make sure they don't have the bulls-eye rash surrounding the site of a tick bite-- but not all dogs develop the rash, so that isn't a perfect method of early detection.

We have a very high incidence of Lyme disease here. Most families have at least one member who has had it, or currently has it. My son had it so bad a few years ago that he needed three rounds of antibiotics to get rid of it. So it's definitely around. Plus I live in a rural, farming area where there are tons of other animals who carry ticks. It's a big problem

Thanks for your comments. I have a few weeks to make a decision, but I'm leaning toward giving it to them. (Much as I hate to do it.)

2 different vets I know said it is ineffective. I wouldn't do it.