Lepto Vaccine

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Britster

I will never personally give lepto again only because Jackson had a terrible reaction to it at 12 weeks. From my understanding, a second time would be a worse reaction, I think. So it's not something I'm willing to do. He also had lymes disease and was caught early and treated with 30 days of antibiotics and is now kept on preventatives year-round so I also don't do the lyme vaccine. I, too, am really for as less vaccines as possible. But I do think lepto in this area is more frequent so I also am really indifferent about it.... did he get lepto as a pup?

I know of at least two owners whose dogs are on year round tick prevention AND have had the lyme vaccine -- AND, both dogs got lyme disease anyway. It's so prevalent here that I think one statistic I heard was that 90% of dogs are lyme positive. Not sure if that statistic is accurate. The adult deer tick population is up 52% from last year here due to the weather.

[chachi]

If lepto is prevalent in your area I would get the shot. We have raccoons, oppossums and even some rats in our area so Im glad mine get it

[Britster]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I know of at least two owners whose dogs are on year round tick prevention AND have had the lyme vaccine -- AND, both dogs got lyme disease anyway. It's so prevalent here that I think one statistic I heard was that 90% of dogs are lyme positive. Not sure if that statistic is accurate. The adult deer tick population is up 52% from last year here due to the weather.

I know it is crazy!! Jackson was on Frontline when he got it actually but it was at the end of his month so I am thinking it didn't last as long as it should maybe. So we use K9 Advantix in the hot months where ticks are out more.

The only reason we found out about the lymes is because he came up limping due to sore joints. But we re-tested again earlier this year and the lyme came up negative. So I am just trying to keep up with it. as I do not see one tick when he's on the advantix.

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by Britster

I know it is crazy!! Jackson was on Frontline when he got it actually but it was at the end of his month so I am thinking it didn't last as long as it should maybe. So we use K9 Advantix in the hot months where ticks are out more.

The only reason we found out about the lymes is because he came up limping due to sore joints. But we re-tested again earlier this year and the lyme came up negative. So I am just trying to keep up with it. as I do not see one tick when he's on the advantix.

I was just about to ask how you realized Jackson had it. If he tested positive or if symptoms arose.

[RileyDC]

I have been reading where a lot of the vets in DC vaccinate their owns dogs for it. Here is just one.

http://www.thedcladies.com/2011/03/talk-with-your-veterinarian-about-lepto.html

[bellababy08]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

I thought he had received DHLPP as a pup, but looking through his records, it was just DHPP....and I remember my vet saying they should not get Lepto until at least 6-months old....?!?!
She did want to give him the canin influenza, which I said No to. She said if I changed my mind...I could just drop him by, at anytime.

She also gave him the Rabies Shot and his last DHPP shot the same day. I am now hearing that shots should be broken up, at least 3 - 4 weeks apart.

I made an appointment with a new vet down where my parents are for end of August and am looking forward to it. He came highly recommended.

My Vet, wouldn't give Bella the Lepto until she was 6 mos old...I refused it the first time, but when I took her & Harley back this past april... for Harleys 1 year rabies vac & Bordetella and Bella for her 3 yr Rabies & Bordetella...I do Bordetella cause I take my kids to the groomers...I talked with my Vet about lepto cause I have seen raccoons, oppossums, rats around my home and I have 2 cats who can also carry it...and here where I work, cause I bring my babies to work with me I have seen a few coyotes...so I decided to get the Lepto for both my babies...I didn't have Ivy Lou yet, at that time...but when I got her I noticed on her records, she didn't get it...so when I took her in a few days after I got her I had her vac's for lepto too....All 3 did real well, but they did have a lump at the injection area for a few days I called my Vet..they said that is normal and that I could massage it and it would help it go away, by day 5 the lump was gone...But I did the Lepto to be on the safe side...and I did have to take all 3 back, 2 weeks later for a booster....something about if I didn't get the boosters, the lepto vac alone would protect them from lepto...so the booster after getting the lepto is VERY important.

[bellababy08]

Originally Posted by bellababy08

My Vet, wouldn't give Bella the Lepto until she was 6 mos old...I refused it the first time, but when I took her & Harley back this past april... for Harleys 1 year rabies vac & Bordetella and Bella for her 3 yr Rabies & Bordetella...I do Bordetella cause I take my kids to the groomers...I talked with my Vet about lepto cause I have seen raccoons, oppossums, rats around my home and I have 2 cats who can also carry it...and here where I work, cause I bring my babies to work with me I have seen a few coyotes...so I decided to get the Lepto for both my babies...I didn't have Ivy Lou yet, at that time...but when I got her I noticed on her records, she didn't get it...so when I took her in a few days after I got her I had her vac's for lepto too....All 3 did real well, but they did have a lump at the injection area for a few days I called my Vet..they said that is normal and that I could massage it and it would help it go away, by day 5 the lump was gone...But I did the Lepto to be on the safe side...and I did have to take all 3 back, 2 weeks later for a booster....something about if I didn't get the boosters, the lepto vac alone would protect them from lepto...so the booster after getting the lepto is VERY important.

oopsy I meant wouldn't.

[_Chrissy_]

Is is "ok" to get the Lepto when Yorkies are older?

Does Lepto require boosters or is it a one time shot?

My vets tech's Yorkie puppy that is the same age as Mickey "crashed" at the vets a few days before I brought Mickey in for the first time so I decided not a good shot for my baby.
If my vet did not give vacinations one a week and if his puppy had not been at work she would have died. No doubt. She flat-lined.

Once again I did not get this shot for my Mickey due to it's poor reputation with small dogs and Yorkies.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

Is is "ok" to get the Lepto when Yorkies are older?

Does Lepto require boosters or is it a one time shot?

My vets tech's Yorkie puppy that is the same age as Mickey "crashed" at the vets a few days before I brought Mickey in for the first time so I decided not a good shot for my baby.
If my vet did not give vacinations one a week and if his puppy had not been at work she would have died. No doubt. She flat-lined.

Once again I did not get this shot for my Mickey due to it's poor reputation with small dogs and Yorkies.

Lepto must be done annually at the very least, and probably more often to be effective, every 6-8 months.

The info in this post covers my understanding and concerns about lepto: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/3614539-post3.html

Lepto scares me because it can be shed in the urine of any animal infected, including pets. For example, if a neighbor's dog has it and pees in a spot, then my boys come along and sniff the spot, my boys could potentially pick up Lepto shed in the urine.

The vaccs for it concern me too. I cannot imagine doing this every 6-8 months, worrying about my dogs going into shock. The vaccs only cover certain strains, so that is another concern.

This is a tough choice.

[Sophie2010]

I wanted to give you a positive story about Lepto, because I think we too often share our negative experiences and that leads to a little bit of fear.

After reading posts on here I was terrified to give Sophie the Lepto vaccine. My vet supported my decision, but did recommend the shot because she has seen increasing cases in our area. Plus, if we take Sophie camping she for sure needs it. Our vet said that her and the other vets could count on one hand the number of true Lepto reactions they've seen in any breed.

However, I waited until Sophie was 6 months to give her the Lepto vaccine and she got it seperately from her other shots. That way if there was a reaction we would know what it was from. It costs a little more to do it this way because you have to pay two separate office visits, but I was happy with my decision.

Hope this helps!!

[_Chrissy_]

Originally Posted by Sophie2010

However, I waited until Sophie was 6 months to give her the Lepto vaccine and she got it separately from her other shots. That way if there was a reaction we would know what it was from. It costs a little more to do it this way because you have to pay two separate office visits, but I was happy with my decision.

Wow... My vet only charges for one exam and then gives each shot separately over a few weeks.
* Each shot is charged just for the shot price. No exam fee.
They take my dog in back and give it a shot. I wait in the waiting area for 30 min after with my dog and then I can leave.

I'm too scared to get the Lepto for my boys.

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by Sophie2010

I wanted to give you a positive story about Lepto, because I think we too often share our negative experiences and that leads to a little bit of fear.

After reading posts on here I was terrified to give Sophie the Lepto vaccine. My vet supported my decision, but did recommend the shot because she has seen increasing cases in our area. Plus, if we take Sophie camping she for sure needs it. Our vet said that her and the other vets could count on one hand the number of true Lepto reactions they've seen in any breed.

However, I waited until Sophie was 6 months to give her the Lepto vaccine and she got it seperately from her other shots. That way if there was a reaction we would know what it was from. It costs a little more to do it this way because you have to pay two separate office visits, but I was happy with my decision.

Hope this helps!!

You should not have to pay an office visit twice....
I confirmed this with the vets office I am taking Riley t
o for his 1-year boosters.
They said they would definitely separate the shots out, if I wanted with no extra
fee for an office visit. I will just pay for the shot.

I am going to have rabies done the first visit and then take him back for the DHPP.
Trying to decide whether I will then take him back again, for the Lepto.
Lepto is really high in the DC area....so I am leaning more toward having it done.