Having second thoughts about Lyme Vaccine for puppy

[smk777]

I was intimidated by my vet today.  I allowed him to give my 5 month old Welsh Corgi puppy a Lyme vaccine.  Later when I got home I read some frightening articles online,  about the dangers of such a vaccine for a puppy:  Can cause arthritis,  auto-immune disease,  effect heart,  nervous system,  and even cause kidney failure months down the line. I feel I made a major mistake in allowing this.  What if anything can be done now?

[skydnsr]

You don't necessarily need a holistic vet.  You just need one that is familiar with the modern vaccination protocols.  My vet is very traditionally trained, but he takes continuing education, and he uses good sense, and he doesn't see the need to give vaccinations that don't work.  At the very least, you need a vet that respects what you decide as the owner.  Only the rabies vaccination is legally required.  I give that, plus parvo, distemper, and canine adenovirus.  The rabies vaccination has to be repeated every three years in my state, and I comply with that.  For the other vaccinations, my dog had a set of puppy shots, then the shots were repeated when she was one year old, and now I just do titer testing every couple of years.  You've got plenty of time to read up on what the core vaccinations are and how often they need to be given.  If you want references, start by looking up Dr. Jean Dodds.  Also look up the American Animal Hospital Association vaccination protocol.    

[smk777]

Thanks so much.  You have put my fears to rest,  and yes,  I think if I speak with this vet and he does not seem sympathetic to future concerns,  I may consult with an holistic vet.  Thank you so much,  again :-)

[skydnsr]

I wouldn't worry about it.  I don't give that vaccine, because I only give the core vaccines, and my vet doesn't have a high opinion of the Lyme vaccine anyway.  But even if giving the Lyme vaccine to your dog was a "mistake," one little mistake isn't going to change your dog's life for the worse.  It's like giving your dog one can of low-quality dog food.  Or it's like a human being smoking one pack of cigarettes.  It's not a great thing, but it's not the end of the world, either.  Just learn from it, do better in the future, and let it go.  

I'm hoping that since your dog is five months old, he has had all of his initial set of vaccines now.  If that's the case, then he won't need any more vaccines for another year at the soonest, and everything will be fine.  He's fortunate to have a conscientious owner like you.  If he does have any last vaccines to finish up, like perhaps a rabies vaccine, I would wait a good, solid month since the Lyme vaccine was given, before giving the next vaccine he needs, just to avoid overloading his immune system.  

I'm certain your dog going to be no worse for the wear.  It's the dogs that get every shot known to man, every single year, for the first several years of their lives, that tend to be the ones that show signs of impaired health from over-vaccination.  Your dog is far from that.

You've got time to find a vet that is more on your wavelength where vaccination schedules are concerned.  And if for some reason you have to stay with the current vet, just stick to your guns next time.  What can they do to you, anyway?  Only the rabies vaccination is required by law.  Good luck, and stop worrying.