Leptospirosis vaccine and disease

[jenn D]

As some of you know we are moving to Colorado in a month. Our house is actually in the wilderness with foxes, deer, etc. Our vet is recommending the leptospirosis vaccine. I'm worried about the disease because it can transmit to humans. Also I have found that colorado is having a high insidence of this. I need some good discussion about this and the vaccine as my boys are scheduled to get it this week. Please keepin mind one of my children is a Cancer survivor so I am very concerned about this.
Thanks.
Jenn

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here is the UC Davis Veterinary School's protocols for leptospirosis vaccinations. It may be helpful to you in making your decision. Be sure that your vet is doing the newer protocol where they get two shots 2-4 weeks apart, not just one. 

Canine Leptospira Vaccines

"Multiple leptospiral serovars are capable of causing disease in dogs, and minimal cross-protection is induced by each serovar. Currently available vaccines do not contain all serovars, efficacies against infection with the targeted serovar are between 50 and 75%, and duration of immunity is probably about 1 year. However, leptospirosis is not uncommon in Northern Californian dogs with exposure histories involving livestock and areas frequented by wild mammals, the disease can be fatal or have high morbidity, and also has zoonotic potential. Therefore, we suggest annual vaccination of dogs living in/visiting rural areas or areas frequented by wildlife with vaccines containing all four leptospiral serovars (grippotyphosa, pomona, canicola and icterohemorrhagiae), ideally before the rainy season, when disease incidence peaks. The initial vaccination should be followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later, and the first vaccine be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age. In general, leptospiral vaccines have been associated with more severe postvaccinal reactions (acute anaphylaxis) than other vaccines. Whether the recent introduction of vaccines with reduced amounts of foreign protein has reduced this problem is still unclear. Vaccination of dogs in suburban areas with minimal exposure to farm animals or forested areas is not recommended. Anecdotally, the incidence of reactions has been greatest in puppies (< 12 weeks of age, and especially < 9 weeks of age) and small-breed dogs. A careful risk-benefit analysis is recommended before considering vaccination of small breed dogs at risk of exposure to leptospires."

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/internal_medicine/n...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Because we have a lot of wildlife around I have been having the dogs vaccinated for lepto yearly. They have had no problems with the vaccine. I also try to be vigilant about not allowing them to drink from puddles and other water found on our walks. So far so good.

[jenn D]

Thanks guys! I knew doodle kisses would help me out! :) I really appreciate this.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My Doodles have been getting the Lepto vaccine for years also with no problems.  Even though we are not in a rural area, there is an exposure, and it is recommended by most vets in our area. 

[Nancy & Echo]

According to the CDC

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria called leptospires. It occurs worldwide and can affect humans and animals, including dogs and cats. The disease can be serious in both humans and animals. Leptospires are maintained in the genital and urinary tract. Ninety percent (90%) of those infected with the bacteria have no symptoms. Symptoms of leptospirosis are sometimes non-specific and can easily be confused with the flu. Such symptoms include fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or skin rash. Leptospirosis can potentially result in life-threatening infections of the kidney, liver, brain, lung, and heart.   http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/features/adventure-racing.html  (emphasis mine).

Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years.

Humans can become infected through:

• Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals.
• Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters. Person to person transmission is rare.  http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/infection/index.html  (emphasis mine)

So, since ~90% of those that are infected show no symptoms, and infected animals can still transmit the spirochete for months to years in their urine, you can come up with the potential scenario that a dog might have leptospirosis, have no symptoms, and transmit it to a human.

It sounds to me like the current canine leptospirosis vaccines are killed (inactivated) vaccines.  ('Live' virus vaccines may be a problem if your child is still immune compromised.  I'm not sure how to find out what animal vaccines and medications are on the market.  I put 'live' in quotes because there is a controversy about whether viruses can ever be considered alive.)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Deer, foxes, ground hogs and all sorts of wild critters pass through or live on my property so Finn gets a regular Lepto vaccine.  No problems.

[BG and Gavin]

We get the lepto vaccine as well due to our summers spent in cottage country. Never a negative reaction with Gavin.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Both my girls have always gotten a regular Lepto vaccine, too.  Our yard is regularly visited by deer, raccoons, foxes - and lord please help me never to see the possum again that I saw last fall - and same here, they've had no problems.