Lyme Vaccine

[Karen & Maple]

I generally do not subscribe to the anti vaccine philosophy. If there is vaccine that can prevent a serious illness why wouldn't I want it? As long as the reward outweighs the risk. That being said, my vet does NOT recommend the Lyme vaccine. Instead she promotes tick prevention and feels that the vaccine carries too much risk of over stimulating the immune system, the side effects are too risky, and it doesn't guarantee prevention of Lyme disease. I'm really torn on this. If Maple contracts Lyme, I will second guess my decision not to get it for her and feel terrible. At the same time, of course I do not want to compromise her immune system if there's no guarantee for the reward. Thoughts?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I vaccinate my dogs for Lyme Disease every fall. As a physician I don't really understand the concept of "overtaxing" the immune system from a vaccine. I know the vaccine is not fully protective but I do what I can. Lyme is bad enough that I hope to avoid it for the dogs and myself.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I agree. 

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

A vet we had a couple years ago (we move a lot) suggested the same thing - she said the vaccine only protected against a certain strain of Lyme but not all strains. So her reasoning was prevention was the best bet... And also keeping our dogs on leash so they stay out of grassy/brush areas, not only for ticks but also for snakes.

Although, 8 years ago when we lived in OH we did Lyme vaccine for Buddy for 4-5 years. It wasn't until we lived in CA that we stopped bc we realized we were not walking him anywhere but urban/city places. Now that we're away from that, I'm considering the Lyme vaccine again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Despite deer fencing my dogs get ticks in my yard perhaps from mice, one of the deer ticks hosts. So prevention is not always possible. I use spot treatment and get the vaccine.

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Yeah, I thought the same thing about both until I talked with that vet. But I also got the impression that it was a conversation she didn't want to have bc she said the word "controversial" while we were discussing the Lyme vaccine. (It was the same reaction as talking about early spay/neuter, they just don't want to get into it or have an opinion). Considering our risk factors at the time, it made sense. But those factors could be changing in a drastic way if DH gets his way when we move again soon.

In the past year, I've plucked a tick off of Kevin's Uncle at The Reservoir where we walk (on a paved trail) and one off of Kevin after DH thought it was okay to let him romp in the wooded-over grown part of our yard, but that's all I've seen. Even though that was a one time thing, I'm still considering the Lyme vaccine again.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I feel it depends on the risk.....here Lyme Disease is very common.  I do use tick preventative (Frontline Plus) but even with that my Murphy contacted a tick borne illness and was very sick.  That was enough of a lesson for me to know that it was worthwhile to vaccinate for Lyme.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Finn gets the Lyme vaccine because ticks are very common here and we live in a wooded area, with plenty of deer passing through.  Lyme disease is bad and any possible tick infestation is something I want to avoid. My vet recommends it IF  a dog is in an area where he is routinely exposed to the dangers of ticks.

[Brittney & Cally]

Having watched my aunt go through this horrible disease is what urged me to get the vaccine for Cally. Cally did not have any side effects. My aunt was actually surprised and saddened that they had a vaccine for dogs and not humans.

[F, Calla & Luca]

There was a vaccine for humans but it was discontinued and from time to time there is talk of another.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/opinion/sunday/the-quest-for-a-ly...