Lyme Vaccine
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?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Susan Marie Kovalinsky on
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Thanks. I think I may tell my vet that I do not feel comfortable getting the second Lyme vaccine (due in 3 weeks) but will make sure to use the topical drops to ward off the ticks. I do not walk her in high grass nor wooded areas, so I believe I can keep her safe in this way.
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Permalink Reply by Lois B. Allen on
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I have gotten a pdf document that presents a "Lyme Consensus" and apparently have uploaded it. It does have a map showing the highest risk areas. I just got them from a friend (DVM,PhD) who is on the faculty of the U. A. Bhm medical school. She surprised everyone by just being diagnosed with Lyme and was told by people on her faculty that it doesn't occur in AL. She and her husband own horses and dogs and they are considered as likely safe but we have had 2 mild winters and unbelievable numbers of tics. As a microbiologist, I am concerned about vaccinating any animal who has had the disease or is seropositive as in some cases it might cause later immunological disease. The vet community has better access to more extensive testing that MDs. It is possible to test dogs by a PCR technique that is a real test for the organism and not antibodies that represent past infection/vaccine. If a dog is positive in one of those tests, it may be that they still need to be treated with doxycycline.
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lyme consensus.pdf, 1.4 MB
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Thanks so much for posting this pdf.
Yes, that is the fear: That the vaccine itself may spark the immune system in ways that might lead to auto-immune disease, effecting the heart, central nervous system, and causing kidney failure. This is worrisome, and I would rather simply use the topical tic repellents. Just wish I had not allowed the first of 2 injections to be given to my 5 month old.
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We need our vets and hope that they are up to date but not all vaccines are equally effective/safe and they do try to do what they think is best. But like Anna said, you have to go with your gut feelings and sometimes it works out. (I am older and more skeptical about a lot of things.) I rescued a dog with heart worms and other infections but with help of a cooperative vet, she did not have traditional heart worm treatment but is free of the disease now without the risks involved in that drug treatment program. Fortunately, I am a microbiologist and was able to do extensive research on alternative approaches and the vet helped me.
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Permalink Reply by Angie on
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I have vaccinated, and may still. I am going to get my dog titered and see if she has enough immunity built up against these diseases. I know there is a lot of legitimate research saying that the vaccines can last longer than the reccomended one year and when I was in college studying Animal Science my professor who is a vet said there is alot of over vaccination. I will vaccinate my dog if she needs to. It's all about how you feel personally. If you check for ticks and use other ways to prevent ticks you may be fine.
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Yes, the titer test is good thinking. And yes, avoiding tick -ridden areas and using topical solutions also can help avoid over-vaccination. Right now my puppy is acting really ill from the Lyme vaccine, but not sure what that means. She yelps in pain, and I may need to have her checked by the vet.
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My sisters dog reacts badly to lyme and that's the only one she reacts to. That may be the issue. I would call just to make sure. I know my sister puts ice packs on the injection site for her pup
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Interesting that Lyme is the one which appears to cause reactions (have heard this from others as well). Yes, I am going to speak to the vet today. I am not sure where the vaccines were given, as he always takes the animals to a different room to vaccinate, and has the owner wait in the waiting room...not sure why.
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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I have heard many different opinions on vaccinations for animals. Much in the same way I've heard the pros and cons of vaccinating children. Each person must do what they are comfortable with.
I lost an elkhound puppy to parvo and distemper...yes, he developed both at the same time. He came from our local SPCA and had not been vacinated. Both were going thru the dogs there but they never mentioned it when I adopted him, found out later by an article in our paper. I also worked in a daycare for 4 years....some kids were vaccinated and some weren't. I saw how the ones who weren't were all taken down by chicken pox at the same time...all because one child had it.
I guess I have been lucky with all my dogs and vaccinations tho the Lyme vaccination is new with these 2, they didn't have the vaccine before I got them. I lost my female Irish Wolfhound at age 10 which is the top of the age range for wolfhounds, I lost my male at age 7..again within the range for a large male. My rott/shep mix got all the wrong parts....a heavy rott body with the smaller hips and legs of a shepard. He was 12 and we had to let him go, he had arthitis very bad in his back end and was in a lot of pain and couldn't control his body functions. Max & Katie are 11 and 9 respectively and they are both in good health, are active and playfull.
I guess I am on the side of vaccinating, I've experienced what not vaccinating can do and the ones I have had in my care who are vaccinated leave this earth after a long life.
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Thanks for this input. Yes, not vaccinating creates it's own dangers as well.
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Susan....I wouldn't like them taking my animal to another room for treatment. The only time my animals are out of my sight is if they need to do xrays or to weigh them. And even then I can see them. The door to the back working area is a Dutch door and the top is always open unless it's a very bad situation and real privacy is needed. I can stand at the door and look into the back.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Agree with Linda about being in the room when the animals are treated. If they have to take the dog away from me, they have to give me a VERY good reason..... You can't tell a Vet how to run his/her practice, but you can find a Vet who runs his/her practice in a way that includes you.
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