Barney is getting tested for Leptospirosis!

[Ellie May]

Dang.

Figures - you go in to look for one thing and that's okay but you find something else wrong. His BUN and creatinine are up??

It definitely is possible. Sigh. Are they doing anything now just in case?


There was a time when I would have said no lepto. Now I would be getting it for my dogs (as long as there was no history of serious reaction). It may be becoming safer anyway. I'd just be particular about which one (I like lepto as a single given separately).

BTW, I wouldn't go to a vet that was constantly on me about something either. Asking at wellness visits if I changed my mind is fine. Nagging me to do something isn't.

The liver med is probably ursodiol (Actigall). Be cautious with it in pancreatitis patients (so you'll know if he has a flare-up, it's probably this drug).

[Buster Brown]

Oh I am so sorry to read about this. Honestly I am ashamed to admit I know nothing about Lepto and the vaccine. I am sure my vet and I have not discussed this so I do not think Buster has received the vaccine. I will start doing my due diligence now. Buster and I will be saying our prayers for you and Barney.

[Rhetts_mama]

Cathy,
I'm hoping that you and Barney have good news. It's just so hard to wait for test results. As for the vaccine, you did what you thought was best at the time based on the information you had. That's all any of us can do. Don't start playing the 'if only' game right now, you'll just stress yourself out for what could turn out to be no reason. Just focus on Barney and keeping him happy and comfortable.

[megansmomma]

Did you get any news about Barney?

[miabellaamoure]

Cathy, there are a very, very few (that I know) as conscientious of dog Momma's as you so, just remember, you will never be to blame...whatever the outcome!

I will be thinking only the most positive thoughts for you and Barney!

[kjcmsw]

Re: the lepto vaccine - one of our vets insisted we do the puppies and assured me the risk were "old school" thinking and the vaccine had changed. Despite my hesitation I finally agreed. They had two rounds and the 3rd set of shots I gave to them myself and left the lepto out. After the 2nd set they did have a mild fleshy tumor shot location reaction but disappeared after a couple weeks (since it was a combined shot we don't know which vaccine caused it, most likely the lepto, since they didn't react to the ones I gave them)
Sorry to hear of your pup's troubles. Wishing him and you well. It's so hard to make the right decisions with all the conflicting info out there.

Other than nothing replaces the physical exam part of a vet, I'm planning on doing all their shots from now on, that way I can be in charge of what goes into my dogs.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

Re: the lepto vaccine - one of our vets insisted we do the puppies and assured me the risk were "old school" thinking and the vaccine had changed. Despite my hesitation I finally agreed. They had two rounds and the 3rd set of shots I gave to them myself and left the lepto out. After the 2nd set they did have a mild fleshy tumor shot location reaction but disappeared after a couple weeks (since it was a combined shot we don't know which vaccine caused it, most likely the lepto, since they didn't react to the ones I gave them)
Sorry to hear of your pup's troubles. Wishing him and you well. It's so hard to make the right decisions with all the conflicting info out there.

Other than nothing replaces the physical exam part of a vet, I'm planning on doing all their shots from now on, that way I can be in charge of what goes into my dogs.

I hope you are prepared in case of an emergency. A pup can be lost quickly if anaphylaxis occurs. I would never administer vaccines in my home. If you speak with a vet prior to vaccines being given and let them know what you want given that is what will happen!

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

Re: the lepto vaccine - one of our vets insisted we do the puppies and assured me the risk were "old school" thinking and the vaccine had changed. Despite my hesitation I finally agreed. They had two rounds and the 3rd set of shots I gave to them myself and left the lepto out. After the 2nd set they did have a mild fleshy tumor shot location reaction but disappeared after a couple weeks (since it was a combined shot we don't know which vaccine caused it, most likely the lepto, since they didn't react to the ones I gave them)
Sorry to hear of your pup's troubles. Wishing him and you well. It's so hard to make the right decisions with all the conflicting info out there.

Other than nothing replaces the physical exam part of a vet, I'm planning on doing all their shots from now on, that way I can be in charge of what goes into my dogs.

Is this what your Vet determined or is this your interpretation of the reaction you observed at the injection site?

I've never heard of this but, I have heard of hematoma's at injection sites.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Cathy,

I am so sorry that you and Barney are dealing with this. please do not even think that you are anything good mommy. we all do the best that we can and hopefully we make the beat choices. hugs to you and Barney.

[Beamers Mom]

I am so sorry Cathy
I will keep Barney (and you) in my prayers.
Please keep us updated.

[Deni_b]

Palms and paws together for you and Barney.

[MauiGirl]

So sorry for your worries, and I sure hope it all turns out ok.

Where I live my vet only recommends Lepto vac. for dogs that are around livestock, or go hiking in the mountains where wild animals roam. Based on the sheltered life my dogs live (in house & yard mostly), he said it wasn't necessary. But that's based on my area and lifestyle and not applicable to other cases, so not meant to confuse anyone.

[107barney]

Thanks everyone...... A little more info...

We picked up Barney after all his testing today. His liver was "mottled" which is some abnormal texture and it should be smooth...that raises the possibility of liver disease (cancer, copper storage or other problems) or the lepto infection. We are treating the liver with Denosyl as a first step and rechecking liver enzymes in a month unless the lepto test shows infection.

The kidneys showed "brightness" which could be inflammation, infection, or just aging. We are doing a urine culture to see if there is an infection in the kidney. If so, we will treat. In case it is lepto, we did the lepto screening.

We also learned that his blood pressure was 175 mm/Hg (normal is 100-120). We are not sure if this was stress from the ultrasound causing the blood pressure so we have to take him back again and quiet him down and take it when he is more relaxed. He loves going to the vet, it's a big outing for him, so I think that was all it was. But, since blood pressure could be related to the kidney issues we need to repeat it when he is not acting like a crazed maniac having a grand old time. If the BP is still up, we will need to bring it down with medication.

So I should know more next week on the status. I feel a little less horrible than I did earlier. Thanks for everyone's support.

[ladyjane]

Cathy, how long before the Lepto test results are back?

[107barney]

I forgot to add - I had previously done the "older" lepto vaccines in both my older dogs and then the new vaccine came out and we did that version. Fortunately, none of my three have ever had a reaction to a vaccine, it is such a non-event. I stopped giving Lepto a few years ago because I did not think the risk was that great but what I learned today was that it is affecting dogs in urban areas and not only those dogs who are outdoors more often. It is often not caught until advanced when there is not much they can do to treat or save the animal. I see raccoons very often so it worries me about risk. I was recently thinking a lot about this and wondering if I should go reconsider my position and start vaccinating again and then this comes up. I'm dealing w/ the immediate issues, then I'll think some more about this.