Leptospirosis Vaccine Reaction In Dachshunds – Is It Risky and Is It Worth It?

Is there a specific major leptospirosis vaccine reaction in dachshunds? Is the vaccine risky and is it worth it for your Doxie? Such questions are normal, especially when you realize that the lepto vaccine is not one that’s routinely prescribed for dogs. Why is that? Is it because it’s too risky?

What’s The Risk Of A Leptospirosis Vaccine Reaction In Dachshunds?

The potential side effects of the leptospirosis vaccine in dachshunds can vary but are all highly unlikely. Here’s a quick list of everything you might encounter:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Face swelling
• Hives
• Breathing difficulties
• Swelling at the injection site
• Lethargy
• Appetite loss
• Autoimmune response
• Anaphylactic shock
• A mild fever
• Seizures

Admittedly, many of these seem scary. However, keep in mind that the risks of the more severe of these side effects to a healthy dachshund are basically astronomically low. The more mild reactions such as a temporary swelling at the injection site, vomiting, and diarrhea are much more short-term and tend to pass within a day or two. All in all, there’s a reason why vaccines are recommended despite the risk of occasional side effects.

Learn more about: 9 Main Miniature Dachshund Health Issues You Should Know

Are Dachshunds More At Risk Of A Negative Leptospirosis Vaccine Reaction Than Other Breeds?

By all statistics we’ve found, there isn’t any increased risk of a negative leptospirosis vaccine reaction in dachshunds. That is – in standard dachshunds. Miniature Doxies are believed to be slightly more affected by the side effects of the lepto vaccine.

Is this increased sensitivity major? Compared to medium and larger dog breeds – yes, it’s a noticeable increase in the risk. However, the vaccine sensitivity of miniature dachshunds is on par with that of other small dog breeds like the Boston terrier, the pug, miniature pinschers, Chihuahuas, and others.

So, if you have a 30-pound (14 kg) healthy standard dachshund you shouldn’t expect any major health risks from the lepto vaccine. If you have a miniature dachshund or a dog with certain health predispositions, a more in-depth conversation with your vet may be a good idea.

All in all, however, the lepto vaccine is considered safe for all dog breeds. This can seem suspicious from a certain point of view given that the lepto vaccine isn’t among the routinely recommended ones. It’s intuitive to think that this is because there’s something wrong with it when that’s not the case.

When Should You Vaccinate Your Dachshund Against Leptospirosis?

Some pet vaccines are prescribed routinely while others, like the leptospirosis vaccine, are not. The lepto vaccine is among the latter but that’s not because of some major negative leptospirosis vaccine reaction in dachshunds and other dogs. Instead, it’s simply because the lepto vaccine isn’t often necessary.

Leptospirosis is a parasite, one commonly found in rat urine, in contaminated waters, and in the urine of other infected dogs or cats. As a parasite, leptospirosis can be more or less present in your environment.

For example, if you live in a big city with an ever-present sewer rat population, chances are that leptospirosis is a risk for your dog. So, getting in contact with garbage bins (sniffing, digging, etc.), swimming in the town’s lake, or even interacting with other dogs in the park can increase the chances of getting infected with leptospirosis.

Vice versa, if there aren’t many pests in your area and/if your dog is an indoorsy breed like the dachshund, then the risks of leptospirosis are lower and vaccination isn’t as needed.

In general, the simple tip is to just listen to your vet. They should know whether leptospirosis is common in your area and vaccination is recommended. If it is, it’s best to do what your vet recommends. If your dog gets infected with leptospirosis because you didn’t want to vaccinate it, this can mean a long course of intensive antibiotics and hospitalization in an intensive care veterinary clinic. What’s more, if your dog is infected, it can infect you and your family too if you come in contact with its urine.

So, as long as you’ve found a good vet you can trust, just follow their advice regarding the leptospirosis vaccine.

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