VallejoSheltie
Forums Enthusiast
I was on the fence about this, as I just had my vet mention we need to update Boots on his vaccinations. Did a little more reading, and I've almost decided to go ahead and give the go ahead for Lepto.
This is because the Bay Area is considered a 'hotspot' for Lepto, and I am in a hilly urban area, and there are numerous skunks, which are prime carriers in my area.
Here is a graphic showing the US:
http://www.deerrunanimalhospital.com/leptospirosis.pml
Also, UC Davis has an interesting study behind a paywall, which would be nice to be able to get into, to find out if they were able to get data on the actual serovars.
http://www.akcchf.org/research/success-stories/technology-to-track.html
Interestingly, the hotspot was SF, with a control group that was basically free of infection along I-80 from the East Bay to Sacramento, which I am on.
Also, NIH has a report on a new (2013) vx for Lepto (unnamed)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24054091
Also came across this:
http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/51665176980/leptospirosis-dog-vaccines
And, came across this study of actual serovar type, and geographical data.
Interesting that L. autumnalis was present in 90% of seropositive dogs tested, however while not expressly targeted by most VX's, it may end up being covered by those which are targeting L. pomona and grippotyphosa:
"The relative frequency of L. autumnalis serological positivity is similar to previous
serological surveys in dogs. Raccoons and rodents have been suggested as possible
natural hosts of this serovar. Although currently available canine Leptospira vaccines
do not include the autumnalis serovar, a study of dogs vaccinated for Leptospira
pomona and grippotyphosa developed titers to L. autumnalis, as well as to the serovars
included in the vaccine."
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