The Most Important Shots My Dog Will Get (and I won't)

I took Boru to the vet today for some shots and a 3-month checkup. In addition to gaining 7 pounds, bringing him to 18 pounds already, he got his first Lyme disease vaccination.

I didn't have to think too long or hard about whether to vaccinate Boru against Lyme disease. I wish they could have stuck me with the needle too. As a dog who already has an affinity for jumping into the weeds and playing in the woods, the risk of Boru getting bitten by a tick is pretty high, and it's not even hunting season yet. Here in central Pennsylvania, Lyme disease is all too common among people, and dogs.

In 2002, GlaxoSmithKlyne came out with a human vaccine, but after some bad press and some class-action law suits, the booster went off the market. There are currently three different versions of a vaccine for dogs though, and it might be the most important shot that my hunting dog will ever get.

According to PetEducation.com:

The most common symptoms (of Lyme disease in dogs) are a fever of between 103 and 105°, lameness, swelling in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and loss of appetite. 

Although not common, some dogs have developed severe progressive kidney disease as sequelae to Lyme disease. This severe kidney failure is difficult to treat and may result in death of the dog. It is recommended that a dog with a positive Lyme antibody test have additional blood tests and a urinalysis to assess kidney function. Some dogs may also develop heart problems or nervous system disease after being infected with B. burgdorferi. 

For a hunting buddy, the lameness and swelling of joints would retire the dog to fulfill his other duty in life, a great house companion. The kidney failure, though, just retires the pup. Vaccination can be scary, but it's two shots that I'm happy my pup is getting.