LEPTOSPIRA VACCINE--Adverse Reactions
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Regarding the Lepto vaccine, on Page 2 of the American Animal Hospital Association's 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines and Recommendations, it states that "Optional or 'noncore' vaccines are those that the committee believe should be considered only in special circumstances because their use is more dependent on the exposure risk of the individual animal. Issues of geographic distribution and lifestyle should be considered before administering these vaccines. In addition, the diseases involved are generally self-limiting or respond readily to treatment. The committee believes this group of vaccines comprises distemper-meases virus (D-MV), canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), Leptospira spp., Bordetella bronchispetica, and Borrelia burdorferi."
Furthermore, on Page 7, Tables 1 of the AAHA Guidelines referenced above, it states under Revaccination (Booster Recommendations) that the Leptospira interrogans vaccine "....this product carries high-risk for adverse vaccine events." Under Overall Comments and Recommendations they elaborate: "Anecdotal reports from veterinarians and breeders suggest that the incidence of postvaccination reactions (acute anaphylaxis) in puppies (<12 wks of age) and small-breed dogs is high. Reactions are most severe in young (<9 wks of age) puppies. Routine use of the vaccine should be delayed until dogs are >9 wks of age."
On Page 8 of the 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines, it states that "Veterinarians are advised of anecdotal reports of ACUTE ANAPHYLAXIS in TOY BREEDS following administration of leptospirosis vaccines. Routine vaccination of toy breeds should only be considered in dogs known to have a high exposure risk."
Leptospira is a “killed” vaccine and is associated with clinically significant adverse reactions. According to the 2003 AAHA Guidelines (Page 16), "...killed vaccines are much more likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., immune-mediated disease)." Further, the AAHA task force reports on Page 18 that, "Bacterial vaccines, especially killed whole organism products …..are much more likely to cause adverse reactions than subunit or live bacterial vaccines or MLV vaccines, especially if given topically. Several killed bacterial products are used as immunomodulators/adjuvants. Thus, their presence in a combination vaccine product may enhance or suppress the immune response or may cause an undesired response (e.g., IgE hypersensitivity or a class of antibody that is not protective)."
A fuller discussion of the Lepto vaccine can be found on Page 14, in which it is reported that, "Immunity is an ill-defined term for Leptospira ssp. products. If immunity is defined as protection from infection or prevention of bacterial-shedding, then there is little or no enduring immunity."
Dr. Alice Wolf, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, stated in an address (Vaccines of the Present and Future WSAVA 2001 - Vaccines of the Present and Future) at the 2001 World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress that: "The most reactive vaccines for dogs include leptospirosis bacterin and Borrelia [Lyme]vaccine.".
Personally, I found the most stunning quote in this entire document to be on Page 18, in which the task force declares: "However, the ethical issue that our profession struggles with today is whether economics justifies giving an animal a drug (vaccines are biologic drugs) that is not necessarily required. As a minimum, we should allow pet owners to make this choice rather than make it for them."
Q. Some Vets recommend Lyme Disease and Leptospirosis vaccines every year. Are all these vaccinations really necessary THINK AGAIN!!!
A> The American Animal Hospital Association recently released the 2003 Vaccination Guidelines for dogs. Leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines were listed as ”non- core vaccines”, not recommended in parts of the country like Texas where dogs are not at risk or very low risk of contracting these diseases. Texas A&M Veterinary School does not recommend these vaccines.
Leptospirosis is a kidney infection contracted from water contaminated by wildlife. There are an average of 12 cases per year in dogs in Texas. Although people can get Leptospirosis from contaminated water, there is little risk of contracting it from an infected dog. Leptospirosis is the component of vaccines that is most likely to cause an adverse reaction, and it should not be given to dogs less than 12 weeks of age.
Lyme disease is a tick- transmitted disease, found in the New England States, Michigan and Minnesota. In Texas we do not have the reservoir deer mouse and Ixodid Tick relationship necessary for Lyme disease transmission. Texas A&M University has never seen a case of Lyme disease in a dog from Texas. What confuses the situation is a similar disease in Texas, Southern Tick- Associated Rash Illness or STARI.
Lyme vaccine offers no benefit to you or your pet."
THese Vaccines can and DO cause severe sometimes FATAL reaction!!!
LYME Vaccine
"What I learned: Many vets stress the danger of Lymes disease
affecting a dog's kidneys, supposedly in a fatal way. Guess what? So far there
has NEVER been a CONFIRMED case of Lyme disease involving kidneys in a
dog –- just speculation, hype and several possible maybes. It has NOT
happened in a provable way up to this point!!!!!"
"Calculating exposure risk. If your animal never leaves the fenced-in back yard,
the exposure risk will be considered minimal and revaccinating only every two
or three years may be acceptable, but if it's out and about and has frequent
contacts with other animals, it should be vaccinated yearly. This is foolish for
several reasons. Vaccinations are, first off, good for life. Secondly, if the
animal is protected for three years against the remote chance of one
exposure, why wouldn't it be protected against the chance of repeated
exposures over that same period? A human regularly mingling with masses of
people doesn't get a booster vaccination from his/her doctor any more often
than someone living in a nunnery. Repeat vaccinations are never given to
people, so why should animals be treated any differently?
Lyme disease in dogs is virtually non-existent, but I am seeing quite a few
cases of a new tick disease called erlichliosis or anaplasmosis. The symptoms
are virtually the same, and the treatment and recovery are also identical. The
animal is usually back to normal in 36 hours. The only difference I can
determine is that this disease only has to be treated for 14 days while Lyme
disease needs antibiotic treatment for at least 30 days, or it relapses. The test
for it is probably not reliable. Only treat for it if symptoms are present.
Symptoms for both are an acute multiple leg lameness (multiple means more
than one leg). It's possible to also see behavioral changes such as
incoordination with this disease."
Dr Busby
www.Oldcountryvet.com
Bordetella (kennel cough Vaccine)
First off it only covers a couple of germs that cause kennel cough, like the common cold there are millions, this vaccine is like giving water, unless required to board or go to training class dont waste your money
Corona Vaccine
Q Does my dog need Corona virus vaccine?
The American Animal Hospital Association released the 2003 Vaccination Guidelines for dogs. Corona virus vaccine was not recommended. Texas A&M Veterinary School has not recommended Corona vaccine for over 15 years. Nor have they seen it in a Adult dog
Corona virus causes a self- limiting diarrhea only in dogs less than 8 weeks of age.
It is a very rare disease. At Texas A&M they have only seen one case in over 10 years.
Scientists have never been able to demonstrate that corona virus causes disease in adult dogs. Adult dogs are immune to corona virus whether they are vaccinated or not. Vaccination of adult dogs provides no benefit. and can cause serous sometimes Fatal Reaction.
