Couple of questions on Leptospirosis and anal glands

[MindyKay]

I got a letter from our vet about Lyme Disease and Leptospirosis and their threat to dogs.  They've asked me to make an appointment to give Ozzy a new vaccine that will prevent these conditions.

I'm aware of the tick threat, but thought Ozzy's FrontLine would prevent ticks.

What does everyone think?  Should I get the shots for Ozzy?  Are there any reactions to this vaccine?

Also, we learned (much to our distress) that we may not be taking care of Ozzy's anal glands properly, and that is why he - um - chews on his butt a lot.  Is it hard to learn to express his glands, or is it easier and worth the money to have it done at the vets?

[hildiesmom]

I think those shots are very much up to you. I will be honest that I have the belief that we over-vaccinate, and that this is causing many immune system problems in our dogs... I have one dog who has these issues. So, I don't give *either* of those things to my dogs--preferring instead to be vigilant and to treat the disorder should it occur, rather than give the vaccine. You really should talk to your vet about it though, rather than relying on a "reminder card" which was sent as a routine measure to increase the Income at the practice! (I know this, by the way, because I got reminder cards this week from 3 different vets, reminding me that Maggie was due for various things... one vet is my *regular* vet, and Mags is up to date there; one vet only does her acupuncture, and yet they "reminded" me that she was due for some vaccines (NOT!); vet #3 is our TCM/Chiropractor, and yes, got a reminder card from her too, even though we only use her for critical care--and haven't seen her since 2004! Let me just say that I *HATE* that these reminder cards are often a way to *sell* you something you may not actually need!) Lepto vax is one that is HIGHLY responsible for adverse reactions in dachshunds, so should be one that you consider very carefully.

Anal glands are not difficult to learn to do--but it is unpleasant. It is really up to you whether you want to do it or just go in periodically for your vet to do it. Honestly, most dogs should "self express" when they have a bowel movement... If you learn to do it yourself, you can do it while they're in the bath tub for a bath...

MaryAnne

[Barb]

I would do some research on the vaccine before doing it - I too thought my topical would take care of any ticks.

Anal glands - I have tried and tried to do this myself -using all the tips that people have posted on this board and our other one and just can't get it.  So I take them to the vet and have it done.  I use to could take them to Petsmart and they would get a nail clip and an anal glad squeeze - but they won't do the glands anymore unless they bathe them.   Maybe the vet could show you how to do it?   I know they do an internal squeeze, and that there is a way to do it all from the outside. I would ask the vet !

Let us know !

[Suzie]

I was talked in to giving Milo a new lepto shot last year, as we have an outbreak locally in raccoons, and they visit our yard frequently.  Supposedly this is a new strain, and the vac is not the same as the one in the combo shots.  Well, when getting our yearly check-up to go to Canada last summer, Milo got the new lepto shot, and they convinced me to use the liquid tick preventative, and he got heart worm meds, all in the same week.  Disastrous results.  Within 2 weeks, he had many bald patches the size of small pancakes with weeping sores and blisters.  He about went nuts chewing on different places.  It took 6 months, much $, and 3 different homeopathic vets to get him over it.  He will never have another lepto shot, tick problems aren't a big deal here, just in Canada for 2 weeks, and I still haven't decided what I'm going to do about heart worm, as he doesn't respond to heartguard well.

So, from my perspective, I would discourage the lepto shot, and be careful of the topical tick remedy.  If at all possible, don't do the various things all at once.  Good luck with your choices!

[Barb]

Oh no - poor Milo....smoochies sweet boy - glad all your itchies are gone. 

[Roberta]

One of the frontlines do ticks, we use it only for fleas and ticks(paralytic) when we go to my mum. Suzy we nursed Emma through a paralytic tick bite and it was not easy, she was lucky as we knew wha tthe symptoms were and said give the antidote, but it took about a month to get her up on her back legs again, asn she was left with a weakness in one of them.

If  a site is really itchy try a bicarb paste just mix some bicarb ito a thick sludge, and paste it on to the area it can take the heat out of the area, so does calamine loction, used to use that on Angus.

Roberta

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I live in AZ and my vet does not give the Lepto any more. I stoped giving it a couple of years ago and then when i went back for their yearly i requested no lepto and the tech said they don't give it anymore.

[Sandishooligans]

In CA, the vaccination here is called DLPP.  I know the L stands for Lepto and I found out the hard way that Dolly is very allergic to that particular part of the shot.  They CAN divide it, however, and she now gets her DLPP without the L.....kind of like a BLT without the T....LOL. 

On analglands, my girls get loaded up pretty quick in that area.  I was shown once how to do it, but I just didn't have the technique right.  We make it a habit to visit our groomer about every 3 weeks and she clips their nails and squeezes their butts.  They are ALWAYS full.  10.00 apiece and WAY worth it.

[Tona5959]

OH NO...all this stuff about the anal glands and how everyone is getting it done at the vets'...What is being done actually??  Is it a routine thing you are suppose to do to every dog??  Or only if your dog is having trouble extracting anally...?  With my 2 babies, I never had to worry about it.  But I hear people mention it from time to time...someone please clue me in.  :scratch: