does my dog need the lepto vaccine?

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=HannahsMom7;7542019]
it sounds more like it was a good thing I postponed it. I am going to call the Animal Control Officer of my Town, who I know, to see what she thinks of it.

Part of the reason I am asking about this, is the vet didn’t look me in the eye when saying it has been recommended that it be given. also, given the fact that I question the cost of going there, this makes me wonder. I feel they could be in it for the “money”, but it is difficult to tell.

4 shots, blood taken for heart worm and an exam - $200 later. seems high.[/QUOTE]

You would love my vet. $99 for vaccinations, HW test, fecal, nail trim and a very thorough exam. He’s a one in a million.

[SarahKing]

We have a lab mix and she gets lepto every year. Our backyard is very waterlogged and we have lots of wildlife running through. Plus, we go camping a couple times a year in a state park and the raccoons are everywhere.

[BuddyRoo]

$200 seems cheap to me.

Around here…$89 for annual exam (required), $72 for the HW 4way snap, $32 for DA2PP (which they recognize for 5 years, most only recognize for 1–same vx), $56 for the fecal w/ Giardia, $27 for Rabies (3Yr), and a basic CBC in hospital would be $80.
That’s at the clinic where I used to work up til last Oct. I’m not saying they had reasonable prices but they were pretty standard in our area.

[Riley0522]

I am also in MA and do not vaccinate for it, I think it’s a personal choice. We used to live in Boston, and the vet recommended it d/t rat/mice problems in the city. We gave the first shot on a separate day from other vaccines and my dog was quite lethargic and out of it after receiving it, so we did not do the follow up booster and have not vaccinated for it again.

[equisusan]

What a timely discussion. I just moved from Arizona to Northern Virginia and my AZ vet suggested I ask the VA vet about Lepto. They had their first Lyme vaccine in AZ but now they are read for their booster in VA. Any Virginia specific thoughts on Lepto appreciated, thanks

[alexis_liberty]

[QUOTE=equisusan;7548383]
What a timely discussion. I just moved from Arizona to Northern Virginia and my AZ vet suggested I ask the VA vet about Lepto. They had their first Lyme vaccine in AZ but now they are read for their booster in VA. Any Virginia specific thoughts on Lepto appreciated, thanks[/QUOTE]

I don’t live in VA but in WV. We go to a vet in VA though because it’s cheaper, including gas! Our vet recommended it because we live in a rural area but also because she’s seen a rise in lepto cases (Roanoke area). I would just ask your vet about it and whether they have seen a rise in cases. Another thing to consider is that lepto can be spread to humans. That’s another reason we gave it to our dogs. We live on a ranch that has a several foster children and children that the state sends. Even if it’s a remote chance we wanted everyone to be safe.

[HannahsMom7]

[QUOTE=Riley0522;7548340]
I am also in MA and do not vaccinate for it, I think it’s a personal choice. We used to live in Boston, and the vet recommended it d/t rat/mice problems in the city. We gave the first shot on a separate day from other vaccines and my dog was quite lethargic and out of it after receiving it, so we did not do the follow up booster and have not vaccinated for it again.[/QUOTE]

Since my dog is a chi x - I am afraid for him if he reacts to the vaccine. He is only 9lbs.

I may not do it. I am still mulling it over. I live 15 min north of Providence and we barely get out of the house.

the other thing is that how much can you afford? I know we had to set limits on vet treatment for our horses so it is not unreasonable to set monetary limits on my pets too.

a side comment - in looking over his vet bill, nothing is totally unreasonable, but each shot was billed separately and adds up.

[GypsyQ]

Virginia, here. I absolutely give it. Lots of wildlife, lots of water, and my dogs are farm dogs who have the run of fields and woods. There is a 4-way lepto vaccine now since they were beginning to see more strains not covered by the standard DHLP-P. I do know of a dog who lived in a much more urban area who died of suspected lepto last year. The only dog I know personally who doesn’t get it is my MIL’s 18 yr old chi x who only goes two feet off the porch to piddle, then back inside.

[DarkenStormy]

I always get it. We have a large piece of property ( for the suburbs that is) and we have tons of wildlife. The dog loves to snack on rabbit poop and is a grass eater. Plus he drinks out of various puddles. So far we have had no reactions to the vaccine, but I feel better having had it.

[HannahsMom7]

Update:

I finally talked to the animal control officer of my town. she has worked for years at the pet clinic I go to.

says in the past years before she left, there were 3 cases of Lepto at our clinic and 2 of the dogs died. the bad news is that is a disease that can transfer to humans.

and she told me, of all the vaccines that cause reactions, this is one that really might, but doesn’t always.

so, with all this in mind, my pup will be getting the lepto vaccine.

[independentlyawesome]

http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1100
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=527

Here’s some information from what I consider to be reputable websites. I think it’s definitely important to have a conversation with your vet weighing the benefits/risks for your particular dog. Most people I know vaccinate for lepto b/c we have great local hiking areas & dog parks where they could be exposed.

[ChickenLittle]

[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7541603]
I would get it, simply because its often fatal if they contract it.

Definitely give it on a separate day of vaccines, and pre-treat 20 minutes prior with Benadryl (they should do this at the clinic).

I have seen far to many “city dogs” die from Lepto, not because it couldn’t be treated, but because it can be VERY costly to support them through the symptoms of the disease (and some can die of kidney and liver failure).

Its up to you, there are risks to the vaccine and it may be a good idea to discuss with your vet the costs.mortality rates of contracted lepto vs. vaccine reactions.

From my days in GP clinics, I had seen about 2500 lepto vaccines given, no pets died and maybe 5% had mild reactions requiring an additional dose of Benadryl.

Lepto in most cases should be given every 6 months.[/QUOTE]

If a dog has never had the vaccine, do you pre-treat with Benadryl for the initial shot as well as the booster done 2-4 weeks later, or is the initial shot the only one that needs Benadryl?

[HappyTalk]

The clinic where I work reviewed risk factors for our area and decided to start giving distemper with lepto. The second shot is a lepto booster that is given 3-4 weeks after the initial. Thereafter is just an annual distemper shot that includes lepto. My personal dogs have always had it since they were going to a more rural vet. My dogs’ lifestyle puts them at risk. We do get some dogs that react to it; mostly hives and/or facial swelling, but the majority are just fine. If they show a reaction to the first shot, we will pre-treat with Benadryl thereafter. We also offer distemper without lepto.