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LEPTOSPIRA VACCINE--Adverse Reactions


Kris L. Christine
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LEPTOSPIRA VACCINE--Adverse Reactions

 

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST THIS MESSAGE.

 

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)."

 

The Leptospira vaccine is also an "adjuvanted" vaccine, as are the Lyme and Rabies vaccines. "The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999 classified veterinary vaccine adjuvants as Class III/IV carcinogens with Class IV being the highest risk," IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carinogenic Risks to Humans: Volune 74, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Feb. 23-Mar. 2, 1999, p. 24, 305, 310.

 

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 http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proce...00/PR00141.htm) 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."

 

Combination Vaccines, Multiple Shots--on Page 16 of the 2003 AAHA Guidelines under Immunological Factors Determining Vaccine Safety, it states that: "Although increasing the number of components in a vaccine may be more convenient for the practitioner or owner, the likelihood for adverse effects may increase. Also, interference can occur among the components. Care must be taken not to administer a product containing too many vaccines simultaneously if adverse events are to be avoided and optimal immune responses are sought. "

___________________________________________________________________

Duration of Immunity: The Rabies Vaccine Challenge - Show #185 Animal Talk Radio Show 7/30/08 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/animaltalknat...llenge-Show-186

 

Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm

 

What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz

http://www.puliclub.org/CHF/AKC2007Conf/Wh...%20Vaccines.htm

 

Vaccination: An Overview Dr. Melissa Kennedy, DVM360 http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/...l.jsp?id=568351

 

World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)

 

The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm .

 

The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocumen...s06Revised.pdf .

 

Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary vaccines at http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/

 

October 1, 2002 DVM Newsletter article entitled, AVMA, AAHA to Release Vaccine Positions, http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article...il.jsp?id=35171

 

July 1, 2003 DVM Newsletter article entitled, What Do We Tell Our Clients?, Developing thorough plan to educate staff on changing vaccine protocols essential for maintaining solid relationships with clients and ensuring quality care http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article...il.jsp?id=61696

 

July 1, 2003, DVM Newsletter article, Developing Common Sense Strategies for Fiscal Responsibility: Using an interactive template to plan service protocol changes http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61694

 

Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

 

The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview

Listen to Animal Wise (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07)

 

The Vaccine Challenge Animal Talk Naturally Online Radio Show » The Vaccine Challenge - Show #91

 

Rabies Shot Killed my Poodle May 28, 2008 Channel 5 News WCVB http://www.thebostonchannel.com:80/news/16...bos&taf=bos

 

US Declared Canine-Rabies Free -- CDC Announces at Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium CDC Press Release - September 7, 2007

 

Rabies Prevention -- United States, 1991 Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP), Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly March 22, 1991 / 40(RR03);1-19 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00041987.htm "A fully vaccinated dog or cat is unlikely to become infected with rabies, although rare cases have been reported (48). In a nationwide study of rabies among dogs and cats in 1988, only one dog and two cats that were vaccinated contracted rabies (49). All three of these animals had received only single doses of vaccine; no documented vaccine failures occurred among dogs or cats that had received two vaccinations. "

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Mark - Could you give me a little more info about this? My dogs' annual exams are coming up shortly and I really need to decide what I am going to do in terms of vaccination at that time. If you want to PM, Renee has my email address (which may also be available through my profile - I'll check and see if I can put it there). I'd like to talk it over with you.

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Thanks, Mark, I will check that out right now.

 

Edited - I am reading throught that now. I will see if my vet can get/will give the Lepto only as I know they do not stock that normally (but rather 4 way Lepto as part of the inclusive vaccine).

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Thanks, Jennifer. I called the vet office and they are checking on it. The receptionist said they will have to order a 10 dose vial and charge me for the entire vial, so she is getting availability and price. I find my vet is very cooperative but the office staff is more cautious as they have to follow office protocol and can't make decisions like the vet can.

 

I found Lepto Vax 4 listed with Jeffers and with Entirely Pets (quite a diff in price) in the 25-single dose format. If I can't get it through the vet, I will try one of these sources and see if anyone wants to split a package. If not, well, I'll just use any remainder that is still good when it's time to revac or discard if it isn't.

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Well, Jennifer, I got the call back from the vet and they will charge almost $200 to get in the 25 doses of Lepto Vax 4, give three doses to the dogs, and *not* give me the remaining doses as they don't "give out" (can't remember the right term) vaccines to clients.

 

There must be one heck of a mark-up there as I can get it for just under or over $100 on the internet, and not at wholesale. Sheesh.

 

So, I will be ordering it myself for about half that price, giving the shots myself, and keeping or passing on the rest. Anybody who would like to split an order with me, please PM and I'll be happy to do so.

 

Meanwhile, the dogs will still get their annual exams, SNAP test for heartworm, etc., and such at the vets next month.

 

Edited to add - As in the previous thread started by Denise, locating a source of this vaccine can be a problem. I am running into that issue right now and I don't want to have to resort to giving the DHLPP with four-strain Lepto again this year (and yearly, without being able to get the four-strain alone at a non-exorbitant mark-up price).

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No way, no how, is any of my dogs ever going to be without Lepto. I live in the coutry, heck, my shepherd actually got her butt kicked my a mole the other day, and my dogs are around livestock.

Plus, I had a pup that fell victim to a vet that was doing the "new" thing many years ago and did not vaccinate with Lepto despite the fact that he knew (horseperson himself) that the pup was in the barn with me all day! He also did not give me a heads up on this change and I watched this dog suffer while we tried desperatly to save her. It cost me close to $2000 at the time and I still had to put her down.

So no way, I will not risk it. Plus it is transmittable to humans. And yes I have been informed of the low percentage of lepto but I don't care as I was part of that very low percentage. Now if I could just get part of the low percentage of folks that wins the lottery I would be good! :rolleyes:

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Thanks, Mark. As I used a DHLPP with four-strains of Lepto from Fort Dodge last year (supplied and administered by my vet), I thought I might not have to give two shots of this. I'm glad to know just what I need to do.

 

I posted in a new thread about purchasing this vaccine and would be happy to make arrangements to split the package with any interested parties.

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I'll double check with my vet but they got Ft Dodge Duramune with the four-way Lepto (the office manager showed me the package last time I was in so I could check that out) and that appears to be the same group of Lepto species/strains that are in the LeptoVax 4, so I should only need the one shot each.

 

I will check with my vet when I take them in. He's pretty open about discussing things like that, that the staff can't make decisions or offer alternatives on.

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No way, no how, is any of my dogs ever going to be without Lepto. I live in the country, heck, my shepherd actually got her butt kicked my a mole the other day, and my dogs are around livestock.

Plus, I had a pup that fell victim to a vet that was doing the "new" thing many years ago and did not vaccinate with Lepto despite the fact that he knew (horseperson himself) that the pup was in the barn with me all day! He also did not give me a heads up on this change and I watched this dog suffer while we tried desperatly to save her. It cost me close to $2000 at the time and I still had to put her down.

So no way, I will not risk it. Plus it is transmittable to humans. And yes I have been informed of the low percentage of lepto but I don't care as I was part of that very low percentage. Now if I could just get part of the low percentage of folks that wins the lottery I would be good! :rolleyes:

 

My vet explained to me that Lepto is anything but self limiting and easily treatable. I would say that because I live in the country I have to vaccinate my dogs for it, but all the wild animals that carry it (opossums, skunks, groundhogs, raccoons) live "in town" too. I'll be visiting the other thread to learn about the alternative vaccines being discussed though.

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