Canine Annual

I recently read an article on areas of the country that have serious Lyme issues and was confused that it stated that the south has much less Lyme incident than we do in the Northeast. I always assumed that the warmer the climate, the more potential problem. So I asked our vet about this and he said it was true...very few ticks in the south carry Lyme because the most important host animal for Lyme is the white footed field mouse and that species of mouse doesn't inhabit the deep south.

Check with your vet, but I suspect he/she may tell you the vaccine is not typically needed in your area...but best to check to be on the safe side.

Also some people, even in high Lyme areas, don't want to give the Lyme vaccine since in a very small percentage of the dogs that get it there can be a serious reaction. Our Pixie cannot have the vaccine...she had a grand mal seizure after her first Lyme shot and our vet agreed she should never get another Lyme shot. So I check her carefully every night and if I find an attached tick on her our vet puts her on 7 days of antibiotic to combat any possible Lyme transmission. Pixie is 8 now and this routine has kept her Lyme free in an area that is currently listed as one of the worst areas in the entire US for Lyme.

Trini

 

Thanks Trini - he has such a good heart

 

In all honesty if your vet doesn't feel you need to have it done, I wouldn't do it. He would tell you to do it if he felt it was necessary. The south just doesn't have the Lyme problem that we do in the northeast.

Trini

 

My breeder cautioned against Lepto, says it can be really hard on Shelties. My vet does not give it though.

He also suggested waiting until close to a year before rabies, and to give 1/2 a Benadryl half an hour before the appointment to minimize any reactions. My Pomeranian was really sensitive to all vaccines when he was young and had to have them spaced out to avoid any reactions.

 

We did Lepto too -- I read water reports from our local mountains/national parks and found it has indeed been found in the parks we go to all the time. Giardia is there too.

Cubby took to the multi + Lepto and the oral bordatella just fine, barely a slow down. But he is a horse!