Lyme Disease Prevention Shot For Dogs

Does My Dog Need A Lyme Disease Vaccine

Dog dies just minutes after receiving vaccination for lyme disease

Unfortunately, the answer isnât straight forward. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine states that Lyme disease vaccines are not considered part of the core group of vaccines necessary for all dogs. Lyme disease vaccine is primarily recommended for dogs that live or frequently visit areas known for Lyme disease as well as for those living in areas with high potential for tick exposure.

Vaccinating for Lyme disease in sick dogs or those who have urinary protein issues is not recommended. Veterinarians and researchers also debate whether vaccinating a dog that already has Lyme disease is necessary. Some say it will help prevent the dog from becoming infected again, while others worry that the vaccine could cause a serious reaction, making the dog even sicker.

Lyme Vaccine For Dogs: Side Effects

Vaccinations trigger a response from the immune system. Therefore, mild side effects are normal and expected. Expected effects may include a mild fever, lethargy, soreness at the site of the vaccine, and decreased appetite. Just like when you get a flu shot, your dogs response to a vaccine may result in mild, short-lived signs of illness.

Occasionally, more serious reactions occur. Although severe vaccine reactions are rare, they require quick action. These reactions indicate an allergic reaction to a component of the vaccine.

Signs of an allergic reaction to Lyme vaccination include:

Merial Animal Health

Recombitek® Lyme

While there are slight differences in how these vaccines are produced and their mechanisms of action, all five are comparable in safety and efficacy.

Should I Use Permethrin Containing Products On My Cat

No, cats are very sensitive to permethrin. Inappropriate or accidental use of permethrin spot-on products labelled for dogs can lead to tremors, seizure, or even death when applied to cats.,
The National Animal Poison Control Center reports permethrin as one of the most common cat toxicities.
Cats can be exposed to permethrin from topical products, oral ingestion, and direct contact with topically treated dogs.
Signs of permethrin poisoning may show up within the first 72 hours of exposure. Speak to your veterinarian if your cat develops signs of permethrin poisoning.

You May Like: Is Chronic Lyme Disease Real

What Is Cdc Doing

CDC is currently conducting research to understand what concerns healthcare providers and the public may have about any potential Lyme disease vaccines. Once a Lyme disease vaccine is approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration , CDC will work with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to develop recommendations about where in the U.S. the public might benefit from a Lyme disease vaccine. CDC will communicate these recommendations to increase awareness of a vaccine among the public and clinicians to prevent Lyme disease in the United States.

Can I Catch Lyme Disease From My Dog

Dogs are not a direct source of infection for people. Lyme disease cant be transmitted from one pet to another, nor from pets to humans, except through tick bites. However, a carrier tick could come into your house on your dogs fur and get on you.

If your dog is diagnosed with Lyme disease, you and any other pets have probably been in the same outdoor environment and may also be at risk, so it is a good idea to consult with your physician and veterinarian to see whether you should test other pets or family members.

You May Like: Symptoms Of Lyme In Adults

Efficacy Of The Vaccine

These vaccines are extremely safe and, in conjunction with tick removal and control, prevent B burgdorferi infection and clinical Lyme disease, including Lyme nephritis.

The anecdotal evidence for this fact is overwhelming, but it has also been shown prospectively in multiple controlled studies in experimental infection and in the field. Following are just a few of many examples of such evidence in the field.

Levy showed excellent field efficacy of canine Lyme disease vaccination in 2003.10
In 2010, Hebert and Eschner proved the efficacy of the Lyme disease prevention protocol, including vaccination in a large Rhode Island practice.11
In a population of guide dogs in New York, implementation of strict tick control and mandatory Lyme disease vaccination regimen reduced the number of Lyme nephritis cases from approximately 10/year to less than 1/year over 7 years.12

Interpretation Of Lyme Multiplex Results910

The Lyme Multiplex Assay is a fully quantitative test. It results in a numeric antibody value for each of the three B. burgdorferi antigens tested. An interpretation of each value is submitted with the test report. In addition, the antibody profile gives an advanced interpretation on the infection and vaccination status of the dog. Antibodies to OspA serve as markers for vaccination and those to OspC and OspF as markers for infection . In infected dogs, quantitative antibody values can then be used to follow-up on treatment success.

Figure 3:

OspA positive values for antibodies to OspA are typically observed in vaccinated dogs. OspA is expressed while B. burgdorferi persists in the tick mid-gut and also while the bacteria are cultured in-vitro. During infection of mammalian hosts, the bacteria down-regulate OspA. Therefore, antibodies to OspA are almost undetectable after natural infection in non-vaccinated dogs. Very low positive, transient antibody values to OspA can sometimes be detected two to three weeks after infection9.

OspC is a valuable indicator for early infection with B. burgdorferi. Antibodies to OspC are detected as early as two to three weeks after infection. Antibodies to OspC decline after seven to eleven weeks and become undetectable by four to five months after infection9.

Recommended Reading: How To Know You Have Lyme Disease

Pros: Arguments For Vaccination

Prevention of new bacteria: the vaccines work by preventing the entry of new Borrelia organisms into the dog’s body. So a big advantage of vaccinating your dog is that it will reduce the number of bacteria in its body by preventing harmful new organisms from entering. The amount of organisms that a dog has to deal with determines whether or not he develops actual Lyme disease symptoms.

Reduced disease risk: One obvious advantage of administering the vaccine is that it is intended to reduce your dog’s risk of contracting Lyme disease. So, before deciding whether or not to give your dog the vaccine, talk to your veterinarian about the extent of your dog’s risk of contracting this disease.

Protection for dogs at risk: Dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially in wooded areas, have a higher risk of exposure than those who spend the majority of their time indoors. As a result, the Lyme vaccine could be more advantageous for dogs with a higher risk of exposure. Dogs living in cities or suburbs are at a lower risk, but they will almost certainly require prescription flea and tick prevention.

Positive Efficacy: Statistically, many practices now report seeing lower numbers of dogs testing positive for exposure to the bacteria that causes Lyme since using the vaccine in practice for several years.

The Lepto Vaccine: Why Vets Give It Yearly

Dogs can get a Lyme disease vaccine. Why cant humans?

Leptospirosis is feared by many veterinarians because it can cause severe kidney or liver disease in its pet victims. Its double feared because its a zoonotic disease in other words, you can get it too.

Many vets use this fact to justify the administration of this supposedly protective vaccine. But a good vaccine should be both safe and effective. Lets examine whether or not the yearly lepto vaccination is either.

Don’t Miss: The Truth About Lyme Disease

Otc Vs Prescription Flea And Tick Medicine

So, what constitutes good tick control? A product recommended by your vet, says Dr. Mengel, who also practices at the University of Pennsylvanias M. J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital.

Many flea and tick preventatives require a prescription, so vets can make sure your dog is getting the right medication and dosage, she adds.

While some over-the-counter dog flea and tick treatment products work well, tell your pets providers what you use so they can ensure it is an appropriate choice.

No matter what type of preventative flea and tick medicine for dogs you choose, whats very important is that it is used year-round when Lyme disease is a concern.

Deer ticks can remain active through the winter months, so it very important to keep your pet protected all year.

Also, dont be surprised if you still see a tick on your furry friend even with protection. Some products cant repel every single tick but still do kill the bugs before they have a chance to infect your dog.

If, however, you are finding significant numbers of live, attached ticks on your dog, talk to your veterinarian about more aggressive tick control methods.

Clinical Signs Of Lyme Disease In Dogs

It has been suggested that in dogs, neurologic manifestations and myocarditis may be associated with Lyme disease, but these manifestations are uncommon and poorly understood. In dogs co-infected with other tick-borne pathogens , overall clinical signs can be worse and treatment complicated. Although cats in Lyme disease-endemic areas are commonly seropositive for B. burgdorferi, findings of associated clinical disease are rare or unclear. In cats experimentally infected with B. burgdorferi, no signs of clinical disease were observed 14 however, some practitioners in highly Lyme diseaseendemic areas report having seen cats displaying clinical signs of Lyme disease.15,16

Also Check: When To Get Checked For Lyme Disease

Cons: Arguments Against Vaccination

Side effects: mild side effects are considered normal because the Lyme vaccine stimulates the immune system. Mild fever, swelling and soreness at the injection site, loss of appetite, and fatigue are common side effects that typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours.

Allergic reaction: An allergic reaction, as with any vaccine, is always possible, albeit rare. Keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, or facial swelling. Contact your veterinarian if your dog exhibits signs of an allergic reaction after receiving a Lyme vaccine.

Cost to the pet owner: While the cost of the Lyme vaccine varies by veterinary clinic, it is usually between $20 and $40 per shot. Before scheduling an appointment, call your veterinary clinic to find out the exact cost.

Risk of kidney disease: If your dog has previously had Lyme disease, it may have caused some kidney damage, and the vaccine may cause additional damage if there is an excess of protein in the dog’s urine. If there are abnormal amounts, your vet might advise that your dog skip the vaccine to prevent further damage.

It’s not a miracle cure: Although getting your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease may reduce the risk, it is not a cure-all. You should continue to use flea and tick medication on your dog because it is not completely effective at preventing Lyme disease and has not been shown to protect against many other tick-borne diseases, such as ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Ways To Help Your Pet Stay Tick And Lyme Disease Free

Did you know that this summer is expected to be a Lyme disease war zone with ticks carrying Lyme disease rampant along much of the East coast?

For that reason, we thought it might be a good idea to provide some tips that could help prevent your pet from acquiring ticks, or at least from acquiring Lyme disease if a tick happens to make its way into his coat.

The easiest way to keep your pet safe might be to keep him indoors as much as possible, but, we are sure you dont want to force your pet to be locked up all summer long! So, we have some other ideas that might be more beneficial in this fight for your pets well being .

Disease Of Low Clinical Significance

The vast majority of dogs appear to exhibit a kind of natural immunity to Lyme borreliosis roughly 95% of dogs remain asymptomatic following exposure to a tick infected with B. burgdorferi . Although there are reports of potentially fatal cardiac and renal sequelae associated with B. burgdorferi in the literature , these syndromes appear to be exceedingly rare. Furthermore, these purported syndromes are challenging to conclusively link with Lyme borreliosis for that same reason , as well as a lack of disease model, with no gold standard test to differentiate between clinical and incidental infections . It seems fair to say, then, that Lyme borreliosis meets the first criterion of AAHA of being a disease of low clinical significance.

Can I Give My Dog Lyme Disease Or Vice Versa

You cant give your dog Lyme disease, nor can your dog infect you. However, if either one of you has a tick, you should both be checked out by a medical professional. Its entirely possible that the tick may have traveled from your body to your dogs, or vice versa, without you realizing it. If you have an open wound, there is also a slight chance that the bacteria from the tick can pass through it, so make sure to be extra vigilant to keep yourself safe in those cases.

Lyme Disease In Dogs: Signs And Prevention

Kathryn E. Reif

MSPH, PhD

Dr. Reif is an assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University. Her research interests revolve around ticks and tick-borne diseases of veterinary, agricultural, and medical concerns. Research in Dr. Reifs laboratory includes studies of antimicrobial strategies to control tick-borne pathogens, tick-borne pathogen vaccine development, tick control, and studies of tick-borne pathogen transmission.

In the United States, Lyme disease is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne disease of dogs and humans the primary causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, is transmitted via the bite of an infected blacklegged tick . The predominant vectors of B. burgerdorferi in the eastern half of the United States are Ixodes scapularis ticks, and on the Pacific coast of the United States they are Ixodes pacificus ticks. The pathogen is maintained in endemic areas through an enzootic cycle between wildlife reservoirs and Ixodes ticks. In highly endemic regions, more than 70% of local adult blacklegged ticks carry B. burgdorferi, posing a significant risk to both canine and public health. This article discusses the basic epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease in dogs in the United States.

Treatment For Lyme Disease In Dogs

Duramune Lyme Vaccine for Dogs

The antibiotics most frequently used to treat Lyme disease in dogs are doxycycline and minocycline, at a dosage of 10 mg/kg PO q12h to q24h for 30 days. The recent American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus on Lyme borreliosis in dogs offers several other antibiotic treatment options.17 In general, recovery prognosis for dogs that receive treatment for mild to moderate clinical Lyme disease is good. For dogs exhibiting clinical signs, including lameness, response to treatment is often demonstrated within the first few days. Because doxycycline and similar tetracycline antimicrobials are used to treat most tick-borne bacterial infections, clinical signs caused by co-infection of multiple tick-borne bacterial pathogens should respond as well. Successful infection control depends on client compliance . Although an empirical link between B. burgdorferi and glomerulonephritis has yet to be proven, the prognosis for dogs suspected of having Lyme nephritis is poorer, despite antibiotic intervention, especially if the nephritis is first observed during the latter stages of disease.

You May Like: Best Lyme Disease Doctors In Ny

Lyme Disease Vaccination In Dogs Veterinarians Dont Agree

The argument continues whether to immunize or not vaccinate for Lyme disease. If veterinarians can not agree, how does a client choose. Anytime a veterinarian chooses to make use of a vaccine, Lyme disease or other, the vet has to weigh the risks and advantages for the client. So what are some of the factors to think about.

Where does your pet live?

Living in an endemic location for Lyme disease needs to be thought about. In humans, 95 of Lyme disease cases are discovered in 12 endemic states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest. In a few of these areas, 70 to 90 of the healthy pet dogs have actually been exposed to Lyme disease. An essential element for avoidance in the areas is good tick control, which can decrease the risk for condition. Vaccination must be considered more frequently in a native to the island area.

Exactly how fantastic is the danger of severe disease, as soon as a pet is contaminated?

Exactly how effective is the vaccine?

Definitely not as efficient as various other vaccines. The vaccine appears to prevent infection in 60 -86 of the dogs vaccinated. Protection is not long lasting and booster vaccinations are given every 6 months or at least yearly.

Is the vaccine safe?

Hopefully this offers some helpful details in making a decision to immunize for Lyme disease or not.

Lyme Vaccine Vs Tick Prevention

Lyme disease is becoming a larger and more important topic in the veterinary community. Not only because of its risk towards our pets, but also for the rick it poses towards humans. Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by the Deer Tick . Most doctors will tell you that if an infected Deer Tick bites a human, the vast majority of people will become infected. However, the majority of dogs who get bitten by an infected tick will not become infected. This being said, we need to do our part to stop this disease from spreading. This disease can be prevented in a few different ways.

The first way Lyme Disease can be prevented is by vaccinating your animal. This vaccination is done initially with one injection followed by a booster vaccine in 3-4 weeks. After that, an injection that is given every year to protect your animal. However, it only protects against Lyme Disease, and not any other tick-borne diseases.

The second prevention method is to protect your pet against ticks all together. Our gold-standard and most recommended option is using a product called Bravecto. This is a tick and flea prevention that comes in a chew, meaning it is basically a treat! Bravecto lasts 12 weeks, and if you are making sure you give Bravecto every 12 weeks without missing any doses, you are ensuring that your pet is protected against all types of ticks . That means Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and a few others.

You May Like: How To Treat Post Lyme Disease Syndrome