Lepto...disease vs vaccine side effects

[boxer4]

I am have a tough time making a decision. It was on the news that two dogs less than a mile a way from us have died of Lepto in the last 2 weeks. I know of several threads on here that boxers have had terrible problems with this shot so I am very hesitant about asking for it. In fact on the news the vet they interviewed wasone of our vets. The story is about 8 minutes into the broadcast for tues 6pm 11-23
news link
The thing is up to 2 years ago they always got the combo shot with lepto in it without ant problems, it was only last year that the vet started not giving it as one of the combo shot and would only give it as a separate shot.
So now I'm not sure which is worse the shot or taking a chance of them getting the disease.
We are currently having a problem with moles coming in our house this year. We are not the only ones, a lot of others in the area are having them come in also.This is why I am so worried about the disease, too many rodents this year.
What do you guys think? Get the shot or take a chance??

The last time we had a mole problem it was the year Dutch died(1998) and it turned out to be a terrible winter.

 

[craZ4HERKIE]

I myself would take the shot. If it's given separately from the other vaccines, if there is a reaction, then the vet would know exactly what it was. I would speak to the vet and ask him how long it would be after he got the shot before we would know if there are going to be any problems. Have them give it, wait there at the vets for a good bit, at least 30 min...maybe more. And after you leave...keep a very close eye on him. I would hate for my baby to contract a disease that could kill him, when there is something out there that could prevent it. Especially if they've had the combo shot before, more than likely there won't be any problems....but there's always a chance. This is something you will have to think long & hard about. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[crazychopper]

i would get the lepto shot

i would get the shot especially if they had it before. In my opinion its better to worry about an allergic reaction that benedryl will make better rather than lepto which is a bigger problem to fix

 

[Shanz]

CInnamon got it in the combo. She has to be pretreated with benadryl cuz of allergies

 

[Alisha Mobley]

A member just recently had a bad experience with the vaccine...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64197

If you do decide to go with the vaccine, you might want to hang around the vets office for a bit afterwards to be on the safe side.

 

[JulieM]

I would also comment that while Benadryl may alleviate the symptoms of acute vaccination reactions, it general does not help with the chronic problems that can result. This is entirely a case of risk-assessment, but one should make the decision knowing that hives or anaphylaxis are just the most immediate and visible vaccination reactions, not the only ones.

I would also, of course, be sure that the vaccine contains the serovar that caused the death of the other two dogs; there are many lepto serovars, and the vaccines do not include them all.

 

[boxer4]

Thanks everyone for you comments. I am leaning toward getting the shots because of the moles problems, they are now getting into different parts of the house and I can't be sure they won't leave a present behind where the dogs would lick or even just walk through it. Anyone know of a good rodent repellent that isn't toxic to dogs, I really hate using traps and poison and having dead bodies around. I would rather just repel them from coming around as soon as i figure out how they are getting in. There was one in my Mom's room last night and I got is out by making noise it then got behind and under the TV( 36''on stand and heavy), too big to move and I couldn't get to the mole. The dogs went nuts and I was afraid they were going to knock it over on themselves and kill them. I got a yard stick and flushed it out but it ran along the floorboard heater and I lost him...or her, I hope not.:eek:
any suggestions??
Julie,
I did a search and that was what scared me not just the hives and easy to control stuff. I feel comfort in the fact it was our vet on TV so he knows the problem first hand and the second report they had on said that they did an autopsy to confirm it was lepto and they were confident they know the strain (their wording). I looked online for the update but couldn't find it to post.
I will be sure to discuss everything with the vet and I'm sure he will counsel me on what he thinks. They are not the kind of Vets that just give shots to make money so I know he'll be honest. They are very cautious when it comes to vaccinations that was why they stopped giving combo shots and and were one of the first vets in this area to do titers instead of pushing shots every year.
Thanks again for the advice, I needed to know I wasn't wrong in at least thinking about getting the shot, I really expected people to say I was wrong for even considering it.

 

[ktn67]

Hi,

My Charm was the one who went into anaphylatic shock after the lepto vaccine. The only reason I even considered giving it to her in the first place was the increasing reports of cases of the disease in our area. NY is not all that far from me. You are NEVER wrong for considering something medical or otherwise to protect your baby from harm. But just as JulieM said, do your research first and know the pros and cons. I knew there was a chance of a reaction, I was just taken aback that it was so severe. I posted so others would know what MIGHT possibly happen if their boxer was very sensitive to the lepto also. I personally won't give her that particular vaccine again and will do my best to prevent her from coming in contact with possible lepto sources. I'm also going to titer her for all other necessary vaccines before giving her anything. If your babies haven't had a reaction previously they probably won't. But as far as long term effects of the vaccine, I'm still researching that aspect also.

 

[boxer4]

Hi Carla,
Yours was one of the posts that made me really hesitate to even consider it, but then the lepto has been hitting too close to home and with all the moles and rabbits that run through our yard, I am really worried I won't be able to prevent them from coming into contact with it. Just yesterday another dog died from it this time 10 miles away but the news also noted this was the second dog it that area too. It seems t be really getting around this year.:(