Lyme disease vaccs??

There's more to it than that -- and the veterinary community doesn't yet have it's act together about it either.  About 3 years ago I went to a UF Dog Owners and Breeders Symposium and one of the topics was Lyme/Tick Disease.

The vet who did the seminar essentially said that they were really reluctant to suggest the vaccine widely because the vaccine itself isn't without risk.

 Particularly if a dog has been exposed TO tick disease and it's body is in the process of forming antibodies, because it's a modified 'live' vaccine the dog could technically GET the disease from the vaccine.

Such vaccines can do more harm than good because they've been lnked to things like IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia -- that's what Billy had).

AND there are SO many varieties of ticks (and I'm not at all sure they have an ehlrichea shot and that's the tick disease that is the most prevalent in Florida -- Lyme Disease is really not at all common last I heard) but a Lyme shot is ONLY going to prevent Lyme disease (and only certain strains of it).  Each tick disease is vastly different -- different tick, different symptoms, different effects.

Tick disease usually isn't fatal if treated -- but some of the bad stuff that comes from auto-immune reactions to over-vaxing or not critical vax *can* be. 

But I think you'll find that's why they're being cautious -- it's a tough vaccine to take.  However, if your dog plays with the other dog, they may have been exposed to the same ticks and that might sway the vet.

I've heard pretty much the same things as Callie. In a few rare cases, the vaccine will actually produce the same painful symptoms as the disease. But then there is no cure.

If your dog gets Lyme, it is not fatal and can be treated with antibiotics.

Did you know that there used to be a human version of this same vaccine? They were forced to pull it from the market because of the bad affects.

I would not ever give the Lyme vaccine unless my dogs traipsed through the woods regularly and we lived somewhere like Lyme, Connecticut.

thanks for the info guys! i didnt know this stuff either. i didnt even know there was a vacs for it till last night!

Callie, some day i'm going to go to that Symposium.... there's so much info i need to know! 

the lyme vaccine is not safe or effective and is not recommended by the AVMA. If you encounter a vet who suggests it you probably should look for a better educated vet.

There is so much controversy with this Lyme vac.  I didn't know what to do.  Our vet recommended it.  In fact Dublin just had his second one.  My dog spend a couple hours a day in the woods and we felt the benefit outweighed the risks.  But I do have to say I was concerned about it.  I breath a sigh of relief when he shows no ill effect from it.  I just see a ton of nasty things swarming both of us daily this time of year.  I am at way more risk than the dog right now!!  I need some Advantix on my neck too.  I am gettiing eaten alive in the daytime out there.   But again the benefits to my dog outweigh my risk being out there with all the bugs.  We try to avoid evenings even though it is easier on us both heat wise. 

mudpuppy

the lyme vaccine is not safe or effective and is not recommended by the AVMA. If you encounter a vet who suggests it you probably should look for a better educated vet.

Curious on your source for this AVMA opinion - I've just looked round their site and journal and found that while prevention of tick bites is strongly advocated, I don't see anything indicating the vax is not safe and effective - in fact, there is an article with study results stating the opposite.  Not trying to provoke, just to understand.

My dog gets the vaccine every year. He is a working water fowl retriever that spends at least 32 hours per week in the woods and fields near our house and where he hunts. He spends this time even in his off seasons as he is always in training and since it is his favorite pass time. My Vet (who is an AAHA hospital and I assure you VERY well educated) recommended this vaccine BECAUSE of his risk factors. We were informed of the risks and he has never had an adverse reaction to it. My mother opted NOT to accept the risk and her dog got Lymes. Personally, for us, it was the correct choice, but it is a choice that has to be made with the guidance of your Veterinarian.

A lot of people here get the Lymes vax. I don't give it to my pets since they don't hang out in tick areas (it's the desert, you have to work to find tall brush)  But then a lot of people are into overvaccinating here..giving the FeLV vaccine even though their cats are indoors only and they don't take in strange cats, etc.

DumDog

Callie, some day i'm going to go to that Symposium.... there's so much info i need to know! 

Haven't you heard me weepin and wailin?  Budget cuts - NO symposium this year.  I'm still all shell-shocked!

My opinion:  IF you live in an area classified as endemic, then getting the vaccine is wise.  Otherwise, pass on it.  All vaccines have risk.  I go with the recommendations of the vet where I currently live. 

I moved to upstate NY and Lyme was rampant -- dogs, people, horses.   I vaccinated my dogs there, from the time they were pups, and they wore Preventic collars 12 months out of the year.  

calliecritturs

DumDog

Callie, some day i'm going to go to that Symposium.... there's so much info i need to know! 

Haven't you heard me weepin and wailin?  Budget cuts - NO symposium this year.  I'm still all shell-shocked!

lol it was good while it lasted i guess... but we'll be back to emergency spending only  

So, is the general feel that if the dog is exposed frequently to wooded areas they should have it?  I was planning on asking about this at the vet this week then I saw this thread.  I don't want to put her at risk for a reaction but at the same time the Frontline doesn't work without her getting bit. 

 AAHA calls the Lyme vaccine "non-core" and for use only in high risk dogs.  Here's the link to their revised vaccine guidelines (in PDF form):

www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf

Lyme disease information from the CDC (map at bottom of page):

 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5623a1.htm?s_cid=mm5623a1_e

Lyme is an issue here and my dogs are in woods on off leash trails, camping and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  So we are vaccinating and my vets keep themselves up to date and often talk to me about the current thought in immunology.  Clearly there are always risks with immunization, but in my "neck of the woods" and with my dogs' lifestyle, the risk of infection is real.  Our friend and former tenant's dog contracted Lyme's disease even though he used to treat M with a flea/tick product (don't recall which) before Boundary Waters trips.  He's not sure how long M had the disease before diagnosis - but the vet seemed to think it was fairly advanced and it definitely impacted his quality of life.  He also died very suddenly in his sleep - he wasn't a young dog, but not that advance in years either - I know my friend wonders if Lyme's contributed to an earlier death.

So, long story short, I choose to immunize.  No reactions noted.

ETA - thanks, Erin.  That map tells the story!