What Is The Lyme Disease Vaccine For Dogs

Is The Lyme Vaccine For Dogs Effective

Michael Stone, staff veterinarian and clinical assistant professor at the Cummings School, doesnt seem to think so. He speaks of the effectiveness of the canine Lyme vaccine in an article from Tufts Now, stating that if a pet has been exposed to Lyme disease in the past, they cannot find proof that it is effective at all. But if your dog has never been exposed to Lyme, evidence shows that it can prevent Lyme infection.

Does Lyme Disease Treatment With Antibiotics Affect Antibody Levels

Antibiotic treatment affects the pathogen . It does not directly influence antibody titers. However, if the treatment is successful and bacteria are removed from the host, the B-cells are not further triggered to produce new antibodies. As a consequence antibodies levels decrease after treatment. Thus, antibody levels are indicators of treatment success .

The Lyme Vaccine Contains Dangerous Ingredients

Kidney disease isnt the only risk that comes with the Lyme vaccine.

Vaccines carry harmful chemicals and heavy metals like:

You see, vaccines carry live or inactivated viruses. But the amount is so small that the immune system wont recognize. These chemicals are added to create an exaggerated immune response to the virus.

And there are two problems with this

1. This type of chaos in the immune system can carry some serious issues. It can cause hypersensitivity disorders. Hypersensitivity is chronic inflammation, which can result in allergies, cancer and organ failure.

2. Aluminum and thimerosal can travel to the brain and cause inflammation there. If youve ever had a reactive or fearful dog, you might not have considered his vaccines as a cause.

Still dont believe me?

There was a human Lyme vaccine called LYMErix back in the 90s. 3 years after it went on the market, Smith Kline Beecham withdrew LYMErix amidst a class action suit. The class action suit came from a sea of allegations of adverse effects including:

Most of the patients developed an incurable form of autoimmune arthritis. And that was worse than the arthritis caused by Lyme.

So if the Lyme vaccine isnt safe for humans, why would you give it to your dog?

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Whats The Best Tick Protection In Southeastern Mass For My Dog

Flea and tick collars or topical products are effective if your dog frequents untreated areas, but they come with their own risks. If you dont like the idea of using products directly on your pets, keeping ticks away from your yard can eliminate the need. At Mosquito Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts, our barrier treatment will eliminate ticks by 85-90% immediately, and continues to work for 2-3 weeks. Our technicians will return to keep your yard protected all season long. Our tick tube system can further protect by halting the tick life cycle. You might consider all three solutions for added protection. Call us today and find out more about our guaranteed tick elimination solutions.

Six Strong Arguments Against The Lyme Vaccine For Dogs

In working to update this article about Lyme vaccine side effects in small dogs 2022, I again scanned veterinary journals and university research sites.

In my search for the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of the Lyme vaccine for dogs, I found a very strongly worded opinion piece from two respected researchers published in the August 2021 journal Frontiers In Veterinary Science. These researchers arguments have cemented my decision for this year: I will not give my small dogs the Lyme vaccine in 2022.

Nadine A. Vogt of the Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and Christine Stevens, Department of Philosophy, Kings College London, present the many reasons Lyme vaccines are inadvisable. Ive summarized their reasons below:

1. Lyme is a disease of low clinical significance

In other words, most dogs do not exhibit symptoms and, according to Vogt and Stevens, the vast majority of dogs appear to exhibit a kind of natural immunity to Lyme borreliosis.

The small percentage of dogs who do suffer symptoms usually only face a type of Lyme arthritis, which eases after the first several days of antibiotic treatment. More serious complications involving the kidneys and heart have been reported, but they are rare. We recommend reading the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Small Animal Consensus Statement on Lyme Disease in Dogs for an in-depth understanding of Lyme disease in dogs.

It certainly did us.

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Are There Vaccines For Lyme Disease In Cats

No, there is no current vaccine for cats against Lyme disease. There is a from this illness, however, and it is important to keep up with this vaccination for the health of your canine family members.

For cats, simply try to prevent your cat from going outdoors if possible. If your cat does go outside, use a cat-safe insect repellant to prevent the risk of ticks, and keep up with regular flea medication to cut down on these risks, too. Check your cat regularly and remove any ticks immediately.

Can My Animal Get Infected Despite Being Vaccinated

Yes. Some animals have been infected despite vaccination. The most common reasons are low or short-lasting vaccine antibodies in the individual animal. It is advisable to monitor the vaccine response annually to ensure the animal develops sufficient antibodies in response to vaccination. Vaccine antibodies can be quantified with the Lyme Multiplex assay as early as two weeks following vaccination or anytime afterwards.

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Synthesis Of The C6 Peptide

The amino acid sequence of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato synthetic C6 peptide is Met-Lys-Lys-Asp-Asp-Gln-Ile-Ala-Ala-Ala-Met-Val-Leu-Arg-Gly-Met-Ala-Lys-Asp-Gly-Gln-Phe-Ala-Leu-Lys. These are the same 25 amino acids in the published sequence of IR6 found within the variable surface antigen of B. burgdorferi sensu lato . An amino-terminal Cys residue was added to the peptide to facilitate chemical coupling. The linear peptide raw material was synthesized at IDEXX on a Perkins-Elmer model 433A peptide synthesizer by using standard 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chemistry methods . The amino terminus of the peptide was esterified with acetic anhydride. The peptide was deprotected and cleaved from the resin in trifluoroacetic acid with scavengers by using standard methods for 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chemistry. The cleaved peptide product was precipitated, washed, lyophilized, and stored at 2 to 7°C or frozen for long-term storage in sealed bags with desiccant. The identity of the peptide was verified by mass spectral analysis. The C6 multiple antigenic peptide was synthesized with a four-branch lysine core . The synthesis, cleavage, processing, and storage of C6-MAP were identical to those of the linear peptide.

Lyme Disease In Dogs: 10 Facts Every Dog Owner Needs To Know

In Part I of this blog series, we covered the five most common tick-borne diseases and what you can do to limit your dogs exposure. And while its valuable to have a basic knowledge of the big five, the sinister superstar of the group, Lyme disease in dogs, deserves special attention. Thus, Dr. Julie Buzby, integrative veterinarian and founder of Dr. Buzbys ToeGrips®, dives deep into Lyme disease in Part II of the series. Learn ten facts every pet owner needs to know about this prevalent and persistent disease.

Having practiced for most of my career in central Pennsylvania, which has been dubbed Lyme Central, I saw dogs test positive for Lyme disease every single day. Whether you live in a Lyme endemic area or not, Lyme disease should be on your radar. If Lyme is prevalent in your region, both your dog and your family are at risk. If Lyme is not prevalent in your area, it may only be a matter of time until it is.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of learning from Dr. Richard Marconi, a professor of medicine at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, about developments in our understanding and treatment of Lyme disease. The 10 points below are important facts I learned from Dr. Marconi, as well as highlights from recent research.

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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.

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

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Lyme Disease From Nymphs

Come fall, larvae grow to poppyseed sized nymphs.

Nymphs remain inactive throughout the winter and early spring. In late spring, the nymph will begin looking for a host. Once a nymph finds a host, it will latch on for four or five days. It will engorge with blood and swell to several times its original size.

• If infected in the larval stage, the nymph may give Lyme disease to its host.
• If the nymph was not infected as a larva but the host is, the nymph will become a carrier.

in endemic areas of the northeast and upper midwest, up to 25% of nymphs carry the Lyme disease spirochete.

Like tick larvae, nymphs prefer small mammals and birds but your dog can be a suitable substitute.

Nymphs are also the most dangerous. Heres why

To give Lyme disease to your dog, ticks must feed for 24 to 36 hours. If you remove them before this time, theyre unlikely to transmit the disease. But because nymphs are so small, they often go unnoticed until theyre engorged. This makes the nymph most likely to spread Lyme disease. .

Once engorged, the nymph will drop off its host and molt into an adult in the comfort of fallen leaves.

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.

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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.

Lyme Disease In Dogs: What Your Vet Isnt Telling You

Lyme disease the mere thought of it is terrifying to pet owners everywhere. Rashes, lameness, swollen joints these are all symptoms that you never want your dog to experience.

The good news is, the situation isnt as scary as you may have thought.

Before we look at why, lets take a look at how dogs get Lyme disease in the first place.

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More Than Mere Side Effects

I mentally berated myself. I may also have mentally berated my beloved vet. Why didnt I know this? Why hadnt I stayed longer to monitor Scout, and why didnt they send me home with a warning about the Lyme vaccine side effects? Here I was, a good thirty minutes away from veterinary care, with a suffering pup who literally couldnt walk. Theyd instructed me to go get baby aspirin, and that Scout should be better in an hour or two.

She wasnt.

For the next forty-eight hours, Scout endured significant pain. In the first twelve hours after the vaccine, she became unable to walk. That night, in the middle of the night, she woke in screaming agony.

The next morning, Scout still wasnt walking. I had to carry her outdoors to potty, and shed stand there trembling, looking at me in misery. Although I knew it was our vets surgery day, I

Well yes. Yes, I did think she needed it. Why would I allow her to continue with such obvious, severe pain?

By the end of the second day, Scout recovered fully from her Lyme vaccine side effects. But I havent. Im still taking myself to task for failing to protect her from unnecessary injury, no matter how temporary. Im all for short-term suffering when the payoff is good . But I am NOT okay with letting my pup suffer even momentarily for a vaccine that may or may not work.

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.

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Lyme Disease From Adult Ticks

Adult ticks will seek new hosts throughout the fall. Their peak activity is between late October and early November.

Adults prefer taller vegetation. Theyre usually seen 3 feet off the ground on high grasses or leaves. Adults often use deer as hosts but theyre also happy with humans, dogs or horses.

Its believed that 50% of adult ticks carry Lyme disease in endemic areas of the Northeast. But, while adult ticks can carry Lyme disease, theyre less likely to pass it on to their host. This is because theyre larger and easier to detect within the first 24 to 36 hours.

Note: the timing of peak activity for each life stage of the tick may differ depending on your area. Check with local health departments for peak tick activity where you live.

Other Canine Diseases Carried By Ticks

Ticks can also carry several other less common but serious bacterial diseases affecting dogs, including anaplasmosis and babesiosis.

Anaplasmosis can involve symptoms similar to those for Lyme disease. Babesiosis can present with a wide range of symptoms, from sudden and severe shock, high fever, and dark urine to a slowly progressing infection with more subtle clinical signs. Diagnosis of both diseases includes blood tests similar to those used to check for Lyme disease.

Sometimes, dogs and people can become sick with co-infection of multiple tick-borne diseases, where more than one type of disease-causing bacteria is transmitted through a tick bite. This situation can make diagnosis and treatment even more challenging and difficult.

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Does Lyme Disease Affect Urine

The first systematic study to investigate Lyme diseases link to urinary bladder dysfunction confirms its association. It indicates that, in patients with this infection, there are important complications of the disease that should be investigated in order to prevent complications of this infection from developing.

How Long After Treatment Should The Horse/dog Be Re

Antibodies decrease slowly but gradually after the pathogen is cleared from the hosts circulation. Re-testing should not be performed too early. For horses/dogs with positive values for antibodies to OspF but negative values for antibodies to OspC , retesting should be done 3 months after the treatment was started. For horses with a positive OspC antibody value retesting can be done 6-8 weeks after the treatment started. At the time of retesting, a decrease of antibody levels can be expected in successfully treated animals. Serum antibodies may not have completely disappeared at this time. However, they should have dropped by about 40% of the original positive value.

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Which Vaccines Do Adult Dogs Need

Adult dogs need their core vaccines in addition to any noncore vaccines decided upon between you and your veterinarian. A dog vaccination schedule for an adult dog may look like this:

Ultimately, your veterinarian will determine how long a vaccine will work for your pet.

If they are overdue or it is their first time getting a vaccine, your vet may recommend a booster vaccine or an annual schedule in order to assure appropriate protection for your pet.