Lymes Disease Vaccine really needed?

C

Cinder's Mom

Forums Novice
Hi Everyone. I'm new to the forum and desperately need some advice. I recently rescued a sheltie from our humane society. I was owned by a sheltie as a kid and for the passed 16 years have been owned by Yorkies. I never had the vaccinated for lymes as they did not venture very far(just the yard). My new baby Cinder is completely different loves walks and hikes. The vet is pushing for the Lymes vaccine, this is a new vet for me and my old vet stated he would never vaccinate for lymes as the shot has too many bad side effects. My new vet says otherwise. What is the opinion of everyone here about this vaccine? I'm really leaning against it but I dont want to put my baby at risk either. She is on interceptor and fiproguard. Opinions?
 
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I do vaccinate for Lyme disease because we have a LOT of deer in our area. It is not unusual to drive down our street and see deer running across it or even grazing at the end of my driveway. Given the sheer quantity of deer in our area and that it's the very small, hard to find in all that fur, deer tick (vs the standard, and much larger, brown tick) that carries Lyme I take the "better safe than sorry approach".

My two have never had a negative reaction to the Lyme vaccine.

As for whether or not you should do it...
Personally, if you are in an area with a large number of deer, I'd get the vaccine. If there aren't a lot of deer in the area, then it's probably not as important.

That's just my opinion based on my experiences and my circumstances. Hopefully that will help you a little.
 
Our vet's on the fence. Says there can be issues with the vaccine AND it's only about 50% effective so I have never gotten mine vaccinated. However, just as with other vaccines I believe it's a personal choice. I always research canine articles on the Web. You will find a slew of opinions about vaccinations in general. I get my dogs titered every year for Distemper and Parvo so as to not over vaccinate. Good luck. I'm sure you'll make the right choice.
 
Ticks

Hi there!
I live in Ottawa,ON and I do give my Riley his Lyme disease vaccination.
This time of year, we find them on him frequently. (Head/shoulders).

You could try not getting it and checking frequently to see if your pup gets any. If he/she does, you know to get it next year. Also, if they do get one you can bring the tick to the vet to get tested for $25 I believe and they'll tell you if it a) did have lyme disease and b) if it's a carrier of lyme disease. That's what I ended up doing our first year.

I brought two in, they both didn't have lyme disease... but I decided rather than bring in every tick I'd just get the vaccine.

Best of luck! Hopefully you don't find any! They're groooooss.
 
Hi and welcome! I live in a high-deer area, and all four of my Shelties are vaccinated for Lyme disease. It's 80% effective, which is a winning percentage in my book. Our furkids have had no side effects from it. Beckon still contracted a tick-borne disease earlier this fall; fortunately, antibiotics took care of it.

If I couold get it for myself, I would!!
 
Cinder's Mom said:
The vet is pushing for the Lymes vaccine, this is a new vet for me and my old vet stated he would never vaccinate for lymes as the shot has too many bad side effects. My new vet says otherwise. What is the opinion of everyone here about this vaccine?
Click to expand...

I had the same reservations, and have not vaccinated my dogs. I have two that have had Lyme, one very seriously, and both tested negative at their last check up (yeah! immunes systems!)

The original Lyme vaccine put out by Ft. Dodge was a horrible, nasty vaccine that caused more than it's fair share of reaction. I know one Sheltie whose immune system was devastated by it, causing his ears to rot off from the tips over the next seven or eight years. I have stayed away from it since.

In talking to my vet last time I was in, he told me to check out the new Merial DNA vaccine. It is not quite as effective as the Ft. Dodge vaccine, but the reaction rates are much lower. I live in Maryland, and I have opted to not vaccinate, but were I going to go back to the NorthEast (CT, MA, etc.) for anything, I would. My mother has actually given the Lyme vaccine to her new BC puppy before Rabies, because she has had so much trouble with Lyme in her other Sheltie.

So yes, I would give it if my risk matrix were to change.
 
Lyme Vaccine

I do not vaccinate dogs with it.I live in East Lyme Conn. and this is where tick country is and where it got its name.:mad:
 
I also live in Connecticut, the home of Lyme disease. My vet recommends against it, and also says it's not very effective. Add to that if you ever need a Lyme titer on your dog (who could still get Lyme after being vaccinated) you won't get a definitive answer because of the vaccine.

My decision was made when years ago, on the advice of my old vet, I did vaccinate my three Shelties for Lyme and two of them got it anyway. One of them was left at age two with joint issues for life. I wouldn't use the vaccine again.
 
I live in RI deer are literally on my front step every day...I do not vaccinate for Lyme. I do not see where it works that effective in this area. The majority of dogs who have the vaccine still get lyme...the deck is some what stacked against us up here...
 
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