Today,  my vet gave my 5 month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi a vaccination for Lyme disease (the second is to follow in 3 weeks).  I really respect my vet,  and didn't want to argue with him,  but now I am having second thoughts,  as I have read they are ineffective and possibly unsafe.  Has anyone had experience with,  or does anyone have an opinion on,  the safety of this vaccine?

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I did not have Becca vaccinated based on breeder recommendation, then she tested positive. I had been using Frontline every month. This year I had her vaccinated. I decided it was the safer option.

A friend's golden caught Lyme even though he was vaccinated. I have been much more careful this year and switched to Activyl for a topical. The tick thought to have caused the Lyme was found in December. There was snow on the ground and I thought it was safe to stop the topical.

I think I will use the Activyl along with the vaccine.  What did your vet say about the vaccine,  once Becca tested positive?  It will prevent further lyme incidents?  Does your vet think the vaccine is safe?  

My vet and I talked it over. I asked her if she vaccinated her own dogs, she does. I trust her opinion. I read the article you posted below. It itself states that there has not been enough research. My vet told me that the older vaccines were not as safe as the ones currently being used.

My last dog also had Lyme, it affected him much more than Becca's case. He was older and had issues for a long time. Becca was asymptomatic and came up positive during her yearly screening. She will always test a a mild positive. I live in a high Lyme area and will keep her vaccinated and may use topical except for hard freeze months. I wish I would have had her vaccinated the first time it was suggested by my vet.

OK,  thanks - I was getting scared there.  Thanks for the reassurance. 

I've not heard about the Activyl, what sets it apart from the Frontline and K9 Advantix ?

Frontline and Advantix were not being affective in my area. Sometimes you have to switch chemicals.

I've not heard of the vaccine being unsafe. I have used it on the corgis and my dad never used it for his Labrador but the dog got Lyme. I've never had a dog test positive for the disease, but I vaccinate and use Frontline and Advantix 2 (switch them every other year). I live in a heavily wooded and tall grass area wher deer, bear, wolf, fox, coyote and every other bug carrying critter meanders. Never an issue. Vaccination is safest.

Thank you for this input.  I will combine the vaccine with topical treatment:  Our area is very tick infested, too.  

We got Max as a rescue.  He had Lyme before we got him and was treated.  He was then vaccinated but only received the first shot. He came from a high Lyme area (MA).  When I took him for his first checkup with my vet...he had Max's full records from the old vet...he tested him for both Lyme and heartworm.  Max shows a mild positive for Lyme...my vet said he always will.  My vet did the first and second vaccination shots for him.  Both my corgis get their vaccinations.  My area of NY is also very high for Lyme. 

Thanks:  I feel better now,  knowing that other Corgi owners vaccinate.  I had been sort of scared off by an article I had read online,  talking about vaccination being unsafe  in this regard:

Scientists have also raised concerns about possible longer-term dangers. Evidence is growing that some ill effects of Lyme disease in humans are not caused by the bacterium directly, but by the responses to it of the body's immune system -- autoimmune effects -- said Dr. Richard H. Jacobson, a veterinary scientist at Cornell University. In theory, he vaccine might promote similar effects over time, he said. 

However,  studies have not borne this out.  There was also a concern that Lyme disease - like symptoms might persist for weeks after vaccination.  I was considering not getting the second injection,  but I do feel somewhat safer after these replies from fellow Corgi owners.

I must admit , though,  I am both annoyed and scared now that I read this article:  Just because I respect my vet and did not want to argue with him,  I may now have exposed my puppy to painful joints,  auto-immune disease, kidney failure????  I am appalled:

\Risks of Lyme vaccine in puppies and seniors

We vaccinate.

There is a vocal anti-vaccination group, very active online. Beware of what you read. Here's another side:

http://www.wbur.org/2012/06/27/lyme-vaccine

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