Warning about Puppy Shots

My 12 weeks old puppy had her third set of shots on Friday. She had no problems with the first two rounds. This time Leptospirosis was added to the shot. Sassie had a VERY severe reaction to this vaccination. Within 10 minutes of the shot she lost muscle control, and could not even hold her head up. We are very lucky we live so close to our vet. We rushed her back to the vet and got her a shot of Benadryl and some cortisone.

They let her come home with me because I would be home with her and able to watch her closely. Her face swelled up like a ping pong ball. We went back to the vet and she stayed the rest of the day. We got her home and she seemed to be doing fine when later in the evening she started having breathing trouble. She would breath at a very fast rate for about 5 minutes then she would quit breathing for 5 to 10 seconds. She was given more benadryl and I stayed up with her until she was breathing normal for more than an hour (2am). My vet says that it is not unusual for a Maltese to have a reaction to the Leptospirosis.

If your puppy is due for this shot please make sure you will be able to watch the puppy closely after the shot. I do not think Sassie would have lived had we not been home with her.
ChrisL

• Chris, You have unfortuantely found out something that many of us that breed and show toy dogs know -- leptospirosis in vaccines can be very dangerous for Maltese. I have avoided this for since I started breeding 18 years ago based on the horror stories that exist about lepto.
  Bobbie Linden - Bhe-Jei Maltese

• So do recommend that Maltese never receive this Leptospirosis Vaccine?
  Keely

• I would recommend that they never receive the Lepto vaccine. This is not something that by going without is going to make a life or death situation for your dog. If you choose to have it given though, you are putting your Maltese at risk. If you tell your vet up front before your vaccinations are given to leave out the lepto, they will understand.
  Taram

• As a general rule, we (at our clinc) do not vaccinate pups or any small breed of dogs for lepto unless we feel they are at risk for the disease due to location or possibility of exposure such as show dogs etc. Lepto is a pretty rare disease anymore and for some reason puppies and small breeds seem to be at a higher risk for some sort of reaction to the vaccination than others. Since they are at a low risk exposure, we usually don't vaccinate these dogs for it. Of course if you live in a rural area or your dog may be exposed to a lot of other dogs, it may be better to take the vaccine reaction chance than the risk of disease. Ask your vet about the pros and cons and risks in your area, and then try and make an educated decision if it's worth the risk to your particular dog.
  V.T.

• You should give both the DHCPP and DHLPP vaccines to your pup. You won't need to repeat the corona after the first series unless it is a problem in your area but always give lepto! I'm not saying this just because I work at an animal hospital. I'm also telling you this as a terrier mom myself.
  Wolfwalker

• I know all the hub/hub about lepto. However, best friend lost 2 puppies at 14 weeks to Lepto. Bizzare yes, but it happened and they were a toy breed and she was afraid of the lepto. Now we both give lepto to pups.
  Angie

• PUP is 12 weeks old so lepto is ok, I give it at 8 weeks or older, but not at 6 weeks.
  Sandi