Allergic reaction to Leptospirosis vaccine

Sorry to hear about the scare you had Luna!
It is usually the adjuvant used in the vaccines that causes the reaction, not the actual killed virus. Sometimes a switch to a different manufacturer using a different adjuvent can prevent further reactions.

Hmm.. I thought it was viral..my bad! Well, sometimes you just have to balance the risk factors. Obviously, if her reaction to the vaccine was anaphylaxis then it is safer to not vaccinate related to the chances of contracting the bacteria. Good luck and I hope you are feeling much better!

Leptosporosis usually doesn’t come from other dogs but from wild life, mostly rodents, and it’s transmited through urine (or the water or soil where the animal urinated) for dogs and humans. The good news is that it is treatable with antibiotics.

I just wanted to share my story. I have a 4 yr old Chihuahua, a few weeks ago I brought her to the vet for her anual visit & she was due for rabies and distemper shot. Well we got home, Bella was sleepy, which she usually does after shots. Until the next day, she wasn’t eating, acting distant and so on..I called the vet, they said it’s normal behavior seeing her size and so on. Well the next morning came around, and she was standing in her bed stiff as a board, swaying back and forth, I was so scared, it was like she couldn’t move. I picked her upput her on my bed and she had a seizure. I cried my eyes out, called the vet screaming crying, I flew down there. They gave her an IV, and prednisone ( steroid ) and Benadryl. I stayed there for 2 hours after, wouldn’t leave the vet’s office. She got home and actually seemed ok, she ate and within a few hours she was her loving, affectionate self, running around. But my investigation does not stop there. I am determined, looking up as much info as I can. I am making an appt. with the head vet in my area to see how this happened and how they could have let it. I see this is the vet’s fault. They over-vaccinated my dog. I have a friend who works for a vet that is looking into the weight minimum for this shot etc…
By the way my name is nicole.

Sorry to hear of you all’s tragedies on the vaccinations. I live in the Midwest and I only vaccinate with puppy shots, and then the annual booster at 1 year old. Then I only do rabies every three years. My breeder does the same. Surf the web on over-vaccinations in the US. There are quite a few theories and conclusions on the topic. Some from reputable Universities and such.

And I find them quite interesting. I believe that the first set of shots, up to one year is sufficient because of the antibodies they produce within the dog’s body. It can be quite complicated, but read the articles. Also, some vaccinations MAY be more advantageous to your dog, depending on what area of the US or what country you live in… For instance, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is more prevalent in the Rocky Mountain states vs other parts of the US.

Try this URL and you may search for others:

http://leerburg.com/special_report.htm

I do think that we are over-vaccinating our dogs. Also, I never use a new drug for myself or my animal until it has been on the market for awhile… take for instance, the Pro-Heart 6- they took that off the market.

And to note: They just recently reintroduced the vaccine.

Also, certain breeds are not to have certain vaccines or medications, either prescribed or over the counter. Research your breed – ask questions from your local dog breed clubs, and if you have a “mixed” breed, I would err on the side of caution. Hopefully, the vet can assist you in making this decision. If you have uneasy feelings about your vet, switch to another. I did. I want a vet who understands me and my lifestlye, and especially my breed. I don’t want a vet who is more interested in seeing 10 patients an hour… hmmm sounds like he is more interested in dollars than sitting down and taking the time to talk with you and taking a “real good” look at my special friend. I bring in a sheet with meds/vaccs that are dangerous or that can be fatal to my breed – the Collie, including herding breeds.

Again, sorry to hear of your sad situations.

And, say, I don’t know about you guys, but I know science has come a long way… but you folks that had pets when you were kids, do you ever remember taking your pets to the vet for ailments and sickness and allergies like I hear so many do now? We only took our dog to the vet for rabies shots and once when she cut her foot in the field for stiches. Our dog never had heartworm, fleas, skin allergies, etc. She lived to 15 years old!! It must be environmental and lifestyle… hmmm

Oh, and PS – I do treat for heartworm year round. I do not take my pup out socially until he/she is fully vaccinated as far as puppy shots are concerned to avoid Parvo. A pup before 8 wks. without Parvo Vacc can end up getting it at the Vet! My breeders vaccinate for this initially before pups are “let go”. Lepto can be a problem in certain parts of the US according to some statistics.