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
Lemonade Pet Insurance Vaccination Coverage
Known for its renters and home insurance policies, Lemonade offers more affordable pet insurance plans than many competitors. The company also has a user-friendly mobile app to manage your pets health, file claims and track your policy coverage and billing.
The company provides vaccination coverage through its Preventative and Preventative+ plans. These packages include additional coverage for various procedures and conditions general pet insurance policies dont cover, such as exam fees and microchipping. The Preventative package covers rabies, DHLPP, and bordetella vaccines. The Preventative+ package covers these vaccines plus three more.
Lyme Vaccine Schedule For Dogs
According to American Animal Hospital Association guidelines, two initial doses are given 2 to 4 weeks apart and the first dose can be given as early as 8 or 9 weeks of age. If the dog remains at risk of exposure, they should be given a single dose one year after completing the initial two-dose series and then annually thereafter.
If your veterinarian recommends vaccinating your dog before traveling from a low-risk to a high-risk area, your dog will get the same two initial doses 2 to 4 weeks apart. The second dose should be given 2 to 4 weeks before your trip.
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What It Costs To Vaccinate Your Dog In 25 Cities
Although its not quite from the moment theyre born, dogs are susceptible to a range of dangerous and fatal viruses shortly after birth. Like humans, female dogs provide passive immunity, or maternal immunity, to their puppies as protection against viruses even while theyre in utero. Most of the protective antibodies are passed on to puppies through their mothers milk, but this only supports your dogs immune system until theyre 12 weeks old. This is why its essential to schedule a series of vaccinations against diseases like Bordetella, canine distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, rabies, Lyme disease, and influenza for your puppy. These diseases can cause a wide range of harmful symptoms including fever, lethargy, diarrhea, pain, and even death.
And, as a responsible pet owner, you must ensure their vaccinations are up to date annually. Just like us, dogs should complete a yearly visit with their vet who will conduct a physical exam to check in on the animals health, recommend maintenance like dental cleaning, and administer vaccinations that have lapsed. While the sum of a complete vaccination series can average $200, treatment of any of these diseases can cost thousands.
ManyPets used data from Banfield Pet Hospitals price estimator tool to break down the cost of vaccinating your dog in the United States 25 most populous cities. The average cost mentioned refers to the average among the 25 most populous cities.
How Often Is Lyme Disease Vaccine Needed
Initially, the vaccine is given as a series of two boosters . Depending on the vaccineâs manufacturer, this series of vaccines can be started around eight to nine weeks of age.
Some veterinarians recommend boostering this series six months later, followed by another booster in six months, then once yearly after that. Other veterinarians recommend vaccinating yearly after the initial two booster series. When and how often to booster will likely be based on the concern for Lyme disease in your area and your petâs risk for tick bites.
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What Does The Lyme Vaccine Do
The Lyme vaccine helps to prevent Lyme disease in dogs, a bacterial infection thats transmitted by blacklegged ticks that tend to live in woods and tall grasses in many parts of the country.
I tell owners the Lyme vaccine is belt-plus-suspenders for dogs with heavy exposure to deer ticks. The belt is a spot-on product that kills deer ticks, and the Lyme vaccine is the suspenders, says Dr. Betsy Brevitz, DVM, a vet in Fanwood, New Jersey and author of The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook.
Are There Optional Dog Vaccines
Although puppy vaccines and dog vaccinations are very important to the overall health and wellness of your canine companion, not every puppy or dog needs to be vaccinated against every disease. Some canine vaccinations should only be administered depending upon factors including:
Therefore, it is very important for us to discuss the vaccination protocol that’s right for your canine companion at your next appointment.
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Annual Cost Of Vaccinations
Your pets vaccinations cost the most in the first year, up to $300. After that, you might pay $95 to $300* per year, depending on your pets lifestyle and local prices. Individual boosters cost the same amount for each treatment, though vets administer them at different frequencies.
Below is a breakdown of the typical annual cost of immunizations and boosters. Some vaccines are only required once, but others may require boosters depending on your pets lifestyle and other health conditions.
- Bordetella: $30$50
*Cost figures are averaged from multiple 2021 reports.
Dogs That Stay Mostly Indoors Can Get Ticks And Lyme Disease
Dont brush off flea and tick prevention just because your dog sticks around the house, either. Many of us have diagnosed clinical infection of Lyme disease in dogs that only go outside to potty and spend the rest of the time indoors. Ticks can hitch a ride into the house on humans and other pets, says Dr. Mengel.
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Do Dogs Need To Be Vaccinated Every Year
Your dog may need to receive booster shots for certain vaccines, and your veterinarian will advise you on the timing of those boosters so your pet will continue to be protected. Some vaccines may require annual boosters, while others might be effective for longer or shorter stretches of time.
Just follow your vets instructions to achieve the proper level of immunity that can help keep your canine as safe as possible. And remember that various factors, such as your dogs breed, medical history, and allergies, might influence what vaccines and boosters are most appropriate for them. Even reactions to previous vaccines might play a role in whether or not your pooch can receive boosters safely.
Most Dogs Dont Get Lyme Disease Symptoms Even When They Have Lyme Disease
In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania infected beagles with Lyme disease. None of the adult dogs showed any signs of Lyme disease even though they had Lyme disease.
The only dogs in the group that showed any signs of Lyme disease were the puppies and after four days of on and off symptoms, every puppy showed no signs of Lyme disease.
This is likely because puppies have immature immune systems. So while Lyme is common, the disease isnt.
But what about dogs who already test positive for Lyme?
Meryl Littman was the lead researcher and explains 95% of exposed dogs dont get sick, but they become Lyme antibody-positive on tests, which may scare people into thinking they need to be treated.
In fact, 70% 90% of dogs in some areas of New England test positive for Lyme. About 40% of dogs in Pennsylvania test positive.
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Impawtant Stuff To Know About Lyme Disease In Dogs
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM.
Lyme disease has become increasingly common in humans, and as a result, many pet owners have become concerned about Lyme disease in dogs. While this tick-borne illness is serious, it doesnt have to be a deadly one for our canine companions. That said, dog owners still need to be quite vigilant and responsible about taking proper precautions to prevent and treat Lyme disease in their pets. Heres everything you need to know about Lyme disease in dogs so you can stay informed and prepared.
Should You Get The Lyme Vaccine For Your Dog
I cant tell you what to do although there are a lot of folks who try to
If you visit the Pets & Parasites website, theyll do their best to scare you about the prospects of your dog getting Lyme disease.
Yet, how can Lyme disease be that scary when most dogs will never get sick? Even when they test positive for Lyme.
Why all the fuss about Lyme if it doesnt really affect dogs? Companion Animal Parasite Council publishes The Pets & Parasites website. And this council is sponsored by companies who make tick products they want you to buy.
You might think Im biased when it comes to vaccines and that would be true but Im nowhere near as biased as the huge corporations that make billions of dollars off dogs and cats each year! And dont think theyll share my little secret that 95% of dogs with Lyme disease will NEVER develop any symptoms theres no money in that message.
But they will try to scare you and your vet every year, so youll run out and get their spot ons and vaccines.
But now I hope you know better than to get caught up in the propaganda.
So, will you vaccinate your dog for Lyme this year?
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Does Your Dog Need The Lyme Vaccine
The Lyme vaccine is a non-core vaccine. This means that it is not required for all dogs. Instead, the decision of whether to vaccine a particular dog for Lyme disease is based on an individual risk assessment.
Dogs that are at higher risk of Lyme disease include:
- Dogs that live in high-risk areas
- Dogs that travel to high-risk areas
- Dogs that are frequently exposed to ticks
If your dog lives in or travels to the northeastern United States, your veterinarian is likely to highly recommend Lyme vaccination. If you live elsewhere in the country, your veterinarians recommendation will depend on your dogs lifestyle. For example, a toy breed dog that eliminates on potty pads and never goes outdoors probably does not need a Lyme vaccine. A dog in a low-risk area that goes hiking regularly with its owner, however, may benefit from vaccination.
Lyme disease prevention in dogs requires more than just a vaccine, however. Like any other vaccine, Lyme vaccines are not 100 percent effective. In fact, tick control is shown to be more effective at preventing Lyme disease than vaccination alone . Therefore, any dog at risk of Lyme disease must be kept on an effective tick control, to help prevent not only Lyme disease but also other tick-borne diseases. In dogs at high risk of Lyme disease, however, vaccination provides an important backup layer of protection.
Does Your Dog Need A Lyme Vaccine
Reviewed for accuracy on May 8, 2019 by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM
There are two kinds of dog vaccinescore vaccinations and noncore.
Core vaccinations, like rabies and distemper, are required to keep your dog protected from some serious and potentially lethal diseases.
Noncore, or lifestyle vaccines, may be recommended by a veterinarian based on your dogs individual lifestyle or health status.
One of these so-called noncore vaccinations is the Lyme vaccine for dogs.
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Which Antibodies Does The Vaccine From Merial Induce
It is a recombinant vaccine based on Osp A. Vaccinated animals should develop high antibody levels to OspA and maintain negative antibody levels to the remaining two antigens. Infected/non-infected animals can be identified based on OspC and OspF antibody values. Detection of the early Lyme infection stage is possible after using this vaccine.
What Happens If Lyme Disease Goes Untreated
Treating Lyme disease in a timely manner is absolutely crucial to your dogs health, otherwise its complications can cause even more severe problems. Dr Muller further warns, Lyme disease can lead to serious damage of the heart, nervous system, and kidneys.
Dogs who are not treated for Lyme disease may find themselves with any of the following conditions:
- Inflammation of the kidneys, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Symptoms of this kidney failure include increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of extremities, and lack of appetite. This can be fatal.
- Chronic pain from arthritis
- Seizure disorders or facial paralysis as a result of damage to the nervous system
Many of these issues, if left untreated, can be potentially fatal, so the answer is clear. If your dog is diagnosed with Lyme disease, take care of it as soon as you possibly can.
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How Are Dogs Tested For Lyme Disease
Diagnosis is made by a combination of history, physical signs, and diagnostics. For dogs, the two blood tests for diagnosing Lyme disease are called the C6 Test and Quant C6 test. Veterinarians perform both.
The C6 test detects antibodies against a protein called C6. Presence of the antibodies suggests an active Lyme infection. The C6 antibodies can be detected three to five weeks after an infected tick bites a dog and may be found in the bloodstream even before the dog shows signs of illness.
The next step is to do a Quant C6 test. This, along with urinalysis will help determine if antibiotic treatment is necessary.
Can Lyme Disease Be Transmitted From Pet To Pet
Lyme disease is seen in dogs, cats, and humans but thankfully, no, Lyme disease is not contagious, as it can only be transmitted via a tick bite. However, if one of your dogs or cats develops it, youll want to get all of your pets checked for the illness, as they may all be at risk of exposure to the ticks that infected your sick fur baby. You may even want to get yourself checked as well, as people are usually in the same places as their pets.
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How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost
Vaccines are recommended by veterinarians based on a pups breed, age, health, lifestyle and medical history, as well as whether your dog lives or travels to states known for specific diseases. The price of inoculations will, therefore, depend on which core and non-core shots are required.
Most shelter and rescue groups include vaccinations in their adoption fee so that a newly adopted dog or puppy is ready to get off to a healthy start in their new home. Below is an estimate of dog vaccination costs to give you an idea of what to expect when discussing your puppy shot schedule with your veterinarian.
Do Antibodies To B Burgdorferi Determine Active Infection
In untreated animals, antibodies to OspC and/or OspF are indicators of infection with B. burgdorferi. Many infected animals dont show clinical signs and maintain constant antibody levels to the pathogen. It is believed that many animals can control the persistent infection. However, increasing antibody values indicate re-activation of or re-infection with the pathogen.
In treated animals, antibody levels decrease slowly and are usually still detectable for several months if treatment was successful.
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Lyme Vaccine Side Effects
Because the Lyme vaccine triggers an immune system response, mild side effects are normal. These include mild fever, swelling and soreness at the injection site, loss of appetite, and fatigue and typically go away within 24 to 48 hours.
“As with any vaccine an allergic reaction is always possible, though rare,” Bailey says. “This most commonly includes vomiting, diarrhea, or facial swelling. More severe symptoms are possible but even less common.” If you see signs of an allergic reaction in your dog, immediately contact your veterinarian.
If your veterinarian recommends the Lyme vaccine for your dog, you can discuss the potential reactions to determine whether the risks outweigh the benefits.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Getting Lyme Disease
You are not powerless in preventing your dog from getting Lyme disease! Some easy prevention measures you can take include:
- Inspect yourself for ticks often, as the same ticks that get on you may have gotten on your dog or may try to.
- Depending on where you live and the presence of ticks, some veterinarians can perform vector-borne disease tests during annual wellness exams. Make sure to ask about this test.
- If you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, have your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease every year. Also be sure your veterinarian does tick checks on your dog at each visit they may be able to find ones that you might have missed.
- Ask your veterinarian which tick prevention methods and tools are best for your dog. There are plenty on the market, including readily available flea and tick collars that dont require a prescription, but not all of them are suitable for every pet.
- Consider a prescription tick preventative medication. Popular options include monthly oral chewables, like Simparica and Simparica Trio. Topical prescription preventative medication is also an option.
- Depending on where you live, try to keep your dog out of wooded areas, marshes, and tall grass. If possible, mow your lawn to keep your own grass as short as possible.
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