Lepto vaccine?

[LifewithAva]

They have started requiring the Lepto vaccine at Ava's daycare this year. They also require a heartworm test, fecal and Bordatella every six months, instead of once a year. I have never given Lepto to any of my dogs, so I'm going to have to find another place for her to have a playday. Not really sure why she needs the 2x/yr heartworm test, either, when she's been on Heartgard Plus since she was 12 weeks old.

[DebraDownSouth]

@LifewithAva said:

They have started requiring the Lepto vaccine at Ava's daycare this year. .... Not really sure why she needs the 2x/yr heartworm test, either, when she's been on Heartgard Plus since she was 12 weeks old.<

The issue with Lepto is that IF it is in your area, they could be pretty much shut down if they don't require vaccines since they would be liable for not safeguarding their clients.
https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Leptospirosis.aspx

Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their mucous membranes (or skin with any wound, such as a cut or scrape) come into contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding; through a bite from an infected animal<<

So okay I can see that. But the heartworm 2x a year? Manufacturers say if given year round, ever 2 yrs testing. Vets and other places do it because they think we are too stupid/cheap/lazy/whatever to actually give it each month.

You might want to check your state regulations. Some have stupid licensing laws, so it may not be their fault. I suspect it's more likely insurance issues, but worth finding out.

Pat, I respect your right to decide. But lepto is getting worse, and I'd rather be safe. I don't vaccinate Cara, but when I had my Rotties and took them to my friend's horse farm with its creeks and water and wildlife, I absolutely did.

http://www.akc.org/news/recent-cases-leptospirosis/

[LifewithAva]

@DebraDownSouth

I believe Lepto cases have upticked a bit here, but the state doesn't require the vaccine and most vets and kennels don't, either. My vet doesn't recommend Lepto unless a dog lives or spends time in more rural areas. The new daycare requirements probably are for liability/insurance reasons. I'm all for protecting dogs, but Ava has a bad reaction to vaccines and injections so I try to limit everything to only what is absolutely needed.

[DebraDownSouth]

Which is why I don't do Cara... almost no chance of exposure, poor immune system so negligible chance of vaccine being adequate.

[chewy1]

My Basenjis have always had lepto vaccinations with no issues. Rabies shots caused swelling in the neck area but was resolved by administering Benadryl.

[tanza]

@chewy1 said in Lepto vaccine?:

My Basenjis have always had lepto vaccinations with no issues. Rabies shots caused swelling in the neck area but was resolved by administering Benadryl.

Never have, never will give Lepto... Had pups that I placed that the new owners Vets insisted that they had to have Lepto.... horrible reaction every time.... and rabies, I give Benadryl day of, 2 hours before and the every 6 hours through the next day. Usually rabies is given in the hind quarters, been many, many years that it was give in the neck... at least from our vets

[chewy1]

I can appreciate your concerns regarding the lepto vaccine. In the Bay Area there has been an uptick on lepto fatalities.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An alarming number of San Francisco dogs are getting sick from a bacteria not typically spread in the city, but the record rain has changed everything.

Gertie, a 13-year-old cattle dog died of the bacterial disease Leptospirosis.

"It came on pretty hard and pretty fast which is the scary part of leptospirosis," said owner Jeannine Giordan. "Before you even know you have it's too late to do anything about it."

Veterinarians in the city are treating more dogs infected with the bacteria than ever before.

At VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, there have been five documented cases of Leptospirosis in just two months compared to one or two in a typical year. Symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disease is typically spread through the urine of infected wild animals.

All the rain in recent months is likely the reason for the uptick in Leptospirosis cases. The bacteria can live in standing water for days if not months.

Dog owners in San Francisco are now being advised to consider the Leptospirosis vaccine, but there is a catch.

"There are multiple strains of Leptospirosis so this vaccine does not cover all of them," said Elyse Hammer DVM. of the VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists. "But it is our best preventative measure."

Gertie's owner wishes she had known about the vaccine. She's now trying to educate others.

"If I can save one pup from going through this horrible fate, and one owner from the heartbreak I went through, then I did my job," Said Giordan.

Click here for more of ABC7 News' stories, photos and video on pet health.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An alarming number of San Francisco dogs are getting sick from a bacteria not typically spread in the city, but the record rain has changed everything.

Gertie, a 13-year-old cattle dog died of the bacterial disease Leptospirosis.

"It came on pretty hard and pretty fast which is the scary part of leptospirosis," said owner Jeannine Giordan. "Before you even know you have it's too late to do anything about it."

Veterinarians in the city are treating more dogs infected with the bacteria than ever before.

At VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, there have been five documented cases of Leptospirosis in just two months compared to one or two in a typical year. Symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disease is typically spread through the urine of infected wild animals.

All the rain in recent months is likely the reason for the uptick in Leptospirosis cases. The bacteria can live in standing water for days if not months.

Dog owners in San Francisco are now being advised to consider the Leptospirosis vaccine, but there is a catch.

"There are multiple strains of Leptospirosis so this vaccine does not cover all of them," said Elyse Hammer DVM. of the VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists. "But it is our best preventative measure."

Gertie's owner wishes she had known about the vaccine. She's now trying to educate others.

"If I can save one pup from going through this horrible fate, and one owner from the heartbreak I went through, then I did my job," Said Giordan.

Click here for more of ABC7 News' stories, photos and video on pet health.

[tanza]

@chewy1 Not worth taking the risk of a reaction... but then I don't give boosters either.. I do titers (with the exception of rabies). And because there are multiple strains, kind of like vaccines for kennel cough, I don't give that either, waste of money, IMO. I suppose if I were around or the Basenjis were around standing water I "might" think about it, but they are not.

[eeeefarm]

A friend ended up with hemolytic anemia post lepto vaccination. Unless you are in a high risk area, not worth the risk IMO (and even then....)

I did titers (including rabies) for years with my older animals, rather than continue to vaccinate. (obviously does not work for a short acting vaccine like Lepto, another of the issues with it)

[helle devi]

@tanza
Hi Pat,
Reviving this old topic to ask you for an updated opinion.
My area is reporting increased canine lepto cases and deaths. The vet, with limited Basenji experience, is recommending vaccination.
My girl is 9 years old and in excellent health. What's your advice?
Thank you.

[tanza]

@helle-devi - I still do not recommend Lepto vaccine. Too many Basenjis have had reaction to it. That said, if you are in an area with high issues with Lepto, you need to weigh averages. Lepto is typically found around standing water and usually from other dogs.... How much of an increase? Is your Basenji usually on leash? And if you decide to get the vaccine I would make sure it is separate from any other vaccines by at least two to three weeks. Then if you have a reaction you know it is from the Lepto shot. Also you should do Titer Test before giving shots (except Rabies since that is required by laws of each state). Many times doing a titer test will show that a dog is fully covered and do not need a booster. My C-Me will be 12 on Christmas Eve. She had her 1yr booster and never has needed one since. My Franie (will be 12 in January) needed a booster at age 9.