Lepto shot help The vet would like to give Teddie (16 weeks) a lepto shot since we live next to a farm, although we are in the city. His breeder got him one, and though he didn't have a reaction to it he was sore and sick for several days. Since he isn't an outside dog, and we don't go to dog parks, and he is being leash trained to walk with me, is it necessary or can I just tell the vet NO! He's just under 5 pounds and I'd hate to give him something to make him sick or he didn't need. :( |
Personally, if it were me I would say no to the lepto shot. I live in Texas also and out in the country but my dogs don't go outside often and when they do they are on a leash. Here is an interesting article written by a vet about the lepto shot. Texas Vet sues due to over vaccination of dogs and cats |
I just decided a few weeks ago to get the Lepto...my 2 are going in Wednesday to get it...I did some research on it...and found even tho I live in the city...we have raccoons, wild hogs and coyotes, rats...all in which can potty in your yard and that is how our pets get lepto...you can't see a pee shot...all they need is to sniff it or get it on there paws and lick it off to get Lepto...I refused it last year, didn't think Bella needed it but in the last year I have seen raccoons and coyotes and wild hogs in my neighborhood and have reconsider my decision...I wanna be safe than sorry. |
My dog Barney recently was treated for the leptospirosis infection. He was and is at very low risk for the disease but managed to show a positive blood test result anyway. I live in a city where my dogs walk on concrete sidewalks and only go into our backyard. I stopped giving the lepto shot to my two older dogs in 2008 and my youngest dog has never had it. I have been on the fence about this one myself. I did give it to my first two puppies 10 years ago but things have changed and some vets refuse to give it to toy breeds. My vet has advised against giving it to my dogs, even though the specialist who treated Barney thought I should. I will not give the shot to my dogs, and it is still one of those topics where I might question this decision going forward. There was a lot of discussion on Barney's thread, you can read it if you'd like http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ospirosis.html |
Very hard decision. Even though my dog had a severe reaction to the lepto vaccine, I have decided that I'd very likely give it if a dog had no previous problems with it. Depends how prevalent it is, but here in Michigan it is a serious healthy risk. |
I was hesitant to get the lepto after reading on YT, but my vet strongly recommended it, so I did more research about how it is transmitted. Anywhere where there is damp ground or standing water and animals have urinated, it can be transmitted. It's also a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted to humans. I decided to go with the vaccine to protect my puppy and my family. |
It is a very tough personal choice. I do give mine the shot; Andromeda is 5.3 pounds and Bra'tac is about 8. I live in suburbia and there have been several cases of pets who have developed the disease. In consideration that Andromeda has Lymes, I make sure that they get the shot. Lepto is carried by not only by wild animals, but cats are known carriers, as they are asymptomatic to the infection. I am careful about timing and about pre-medicating them before the shots. We also stay for about 1/2 hour to 40 minutes to make sure that any side effects can be treated immediately. Is there a possibility of side effects to the vaccination? Yes But there are things that you can do to reduce the possibility of those effects. It is tough to decide which way you should go. Good luck with your decision. |
Depends on where you live, your pup's lifestyle, and the amount of rainfall expected. Central and east Texas appear to have the greatest risk, along with Hawaii and the Northeast US, from the most current info I could find. Many dogs do not react to a vaccine the first time it is given, they react on the 2nd or 3rd boosters, so plan to stay at the vet's 30-60 minutes after he gets the vaccine. If you do decide to get it, please be sure to get it separately, not as a part of a combo nor within a month of any other vaccines, surgeries, injuries or anything else that may compromise your pup's immune system. A safer option for your pup may be to wait until he is a bit older, and his immune system is more developed. Please discuss these suggestions with your vet, as he/she may have more current info on actual reported cases of Lepto in your specific area. Do take precautions to prevent exposure to the disease if you plan not to vaccinate against it. |
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My dogs get it.. My toy poodle is 4 to 5 pounds and she has always done ok when given the shot. Tucker is sensitive to shots (and everything else) so he was given some benedryl before the got his last set of shots and he was fine. We live in a rural area with lots of wild life that come right into my backyard so for me, Its one that I will always give. IMHO.. even living in a city area does not prevent wildlife from wandering in your yards.. |
What do you mean he was 'sick for several days'...? Did he have an actual vaccine reaction or ? I don't get the lepto shot, and I hope I never will have to - bc I think the risks of it are much higher than most shots. If he had a true allergic reaction, I personally would not get it. I'd also want to know the incidence and prevalence of lepto in the area, just so I could weigh that as well. |
My breeder didn't give it and wrote on Kacee's chart in big red letters "NO LEPTO". She's never had it. It's a decision everyone has to make for themselves. |
I have a question about the Lepto shot. Both Lucy and Ringo have it and with no problems. However, Ringo's shot was due in October (around the time we moved) and he just got it last week. The vet is telling me that since I was late getting him his Lepto shot ~ that I should come back in 3 weeks for a booster??? Is this correct? I'm starting to wonder because I don't step foot in that place without dropping $150. I think they see me coming and start figuring out what all I'll spring for! |
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If the dog had skipped boosters, then yes, he needs two shots. |
It's your choice but I'd pass. I had to do CPR on my Lily for over 10 minutes while we drove to the e-vet due to the Lepto shot. Never again. Those were the scariest minutes of my life. ETA: We waited at the vet's office for over an hour after the shots. She was showing no signs of a reaction. As soon as they gave the shot, I knew something was wrong. Call it Momma's intuition, but she just wasn't acting right. The vet kept checking her out and saying nothing was out of the ordinary. The office finally had to close so we left. Within 30 minutes of getting home, her face swelled up and turned white (all the fur was gone). I started doing CPR while my husband drove to the e-vet. The vet said that another few minutes and her airway would have closed and we would have lost my baby. She was 6 months old at the time. She'll be 3 in July and she hasn't had the shot since (none of my dogs have). |
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