I took Tuscany last Thursday to the vet. I had been in Boston from Monday until Thursday afternoon visiting my sister. When I got home I could tell that he was not feeling good. He shook his head a lot and was scratching at his ears. I had always had labs growing up, so I was pretty sure that he had an ear infections from all of his swimming. I was right he did. The vet gave me an anti inflammatory to start with and then ear cleaner and an ointment to put in his ears once the swelling went down.

He also suggested that we vaccinate Tuscany with the Lepto vaccine because we camp so much and because he often swims when at my mom's lake house. After asking a few questions I decided that it might be a good idea for him to get it. He got it and everything was fine. However, on the way home Tuscany wanted to lay down and not look out the window (very unusual), then when we got home he went right to his bed. This is not unusual... often after the vet he naps for a bit, gets up and is fine.

I had to go to my dad's memorial golf tournament and speak on behalf of my mom and sister that night, he seemed fine so off I went. However, 2 1/2 hours later when my husband and I got home Tuscany was VERY sick. He had no feeling in his right leg, it just sort of dangled there (his injection was in the right hip). He was lathargic and refused dinner or any water. My husband and I decided that we should call the vet. The on call vet told us that a reaction was not unusual with the lepto vaccine and to just monitor him for any changes. By 9:30 pm he was almost in a coma like state, my normally perky happy dog did not respond to anything. So off to the emergency vet clinic we went.

Once there (and about 3 hours later) the vet game him a shot of steroids and fluids. He told us that it was a severe reaction to the lepto shot, but that we should see an improvement in him in about 24-36 hours. I stayed home with him all day Friday, he slept most of the day, but had his appitite so I figured that was good. By, Saturday he was moving and wanting to play. And finally tonight, I have my puppy back. It is insane how much this vaccine affected him. I swear that he even lost a bit of his muscle mass.

My question is what about the next shot? What if anything can I give him to stop this reaction? I swear to God I thought I was going to lose him. Is this shot worth it? Should I just say to heck with it and take my chances with the possibility that he gets Lepto?

Also- have others had such experiences with this vaccine?

Lepto as the L in DHLPP. A quick check shows my vet gives puppies about 5 of the combos by the time they are a year old. The worst I remember is maybe being a little quiet for the rest of the day. Shots do produce reactions. There are rational people insisting we are at the point of losing more dogs to bad reactions that to some diseases.

I trust the info I find at American Veterinary Medical Association (http://www.avma.org) Do a search on Lepto there. I do recognize it may have a pro vet bias. Better a site whose bias I can predict than an unknown one Googled up.

I am so sorry that you had such a scare! I am glad that he is okay now. I have heard of dogs having adverse reactions to various vaccinations but I have not had any experience with a bad reaction. I would think that after this reaction, it wouldn't be wise to ever allow him to get that vaccine anymore. If it were me, I would rather take my chances with the Lepto. I think this is something that you need to discuss with your vet the next time he suggests it.