Immunizations were developed to stimulate the animal’s immune system to create antibodies against the disease which we are trying to prevent. Unfortunately, any vaccine can have side effects. Most of those are mild, including itching, facial swelling and vomiting, but occasionally we may see severe vomiting, shock and overstimulation of our pet’s immune system creating other issues with the pet. The one vaccine that has been implicated in the past was the vaccine for Leptospirosis. It was perhaps more likely to cause a reaction as it is a bacterin vaccine, or one that protects against a bacteria rather than a virus. The antigen in the vaccine had to be larger and therefore was more likely to cause the unwanted side effects. For this reason, many past veterinarians and breeders did not vaccinate for Leptospirosis.
Contracting the disease is actually quite easy. The bacteria that causes Lepto is shed through the urine of infected wildlife. The organism can survive in moist soil for long periods of time. When an unsuspecting dog enters the environment where wildlife may have urinated, like around ponds, streams and moister areas of soil, they become infected either through skin wounds or the bacteria can enter through mucous membranes such as the eyes, ears, nose or mouth. All breeds and sizes of dogs are at risk. Common Lepto carriers include raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels and rats, although livestock can also carry the disease as well.
Leptospirosis causes acute liver or kidney failure in the dog and unfortunately, the urine they then shed is also contaminated with this deadly bacteria which can also affect humans in the same way. The number of Lepto cases has risen in recent years. This may be in part due to the fact that the past vaccines scared people away from getting their dog vaccinated and in part due to the encroachment of wildlife into our suburban areas as they have no other place to live. Today, Lepto is the number one cause of acute kidney failure in the dog. According to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, it infects more than 37 percent of dogs in metro areas. Any dog that ventures outdoors, even if for a potty break, may be at risk.
Thankfully, vaccines have also improved over the past several years. The vaccine manufacturers are introducing vaccines that are more purified, removing unnecessary proteins from the product and therefore causing less and less vaccine reactions compared to past formulations. The vaccines are also including more serovars or strains of protection. Currently, Leptospirosis must be revaccinated annually for complete protection from the disease and can be given concurrently with other vaccinations that come due for your pet. The risk of contracting Leptospirosis for both you and your pet are simply too great to ignore this simple vaccine as part of our core vaccination protocol.