Lymes Disease Vaccine for dogs?

Question

I live in Southeastern Virginia. There are TONS of deer here, and this season has already started out HORRIBLE with ticks... Just walking him in normal grass infests him with ticks. I'll say, since March, I have had to pull atleast 3 ticks off him EVERY day... I was at the dog park today and was talking to some of the people there, and someone recommended I get him vaccinated for Lymes disease. Is this really necessary? And do they really have a vaccine? (do humans have this vaccine as well?) (FYI: my dog is on flea, mosquito, tick and heartworm preventative- ie. Revolution. he has not had a single flea on him! )

Answer 1

No humans don't have a vaccine and yes there is a lyme vaccine for dogs.
Lymes vaccine is controversial..some vets really believe in it, others don't. It is a vaccine that isn't recommended for all dogs.
If you are using a good flea/tick preventative then you really don't need to worry as much since the ticks will die before they release their toxins..Also make sure that you get your dog tested for lymes yearly.
If ticks are real bad you can use the Preventic collar on your dog when he is outside taking it off when he is inside. This is the only type of collar that is ever recommended for use on dogs. Speak to your vet about tick prevention.

****dhlpp are no longer recommended yearly.The current protocol is for them to be done every 3 years*****

Answer 2

I always vaccinate for Lyme's. I live 2 towns away from where it was first discovered and named for the town in Lyme, CT.

Ticks are a Hugh problem here too. I've had Lyme's disease 2 times, They did have an experimental vaccine for humans but they found it did not work that well so it is no longer available. The one for dogs is available and I think is a good choice to do if you live in a high tick area.

Answer 3

My dog gets the Lyme vaccine. I used the K9 Advantix (the one for fleas and ticks) on my dog too, but stopped using since I found multiple ticks on him that were attached. He also seemed to be allergic to the K9 Advantix (lots of itching). Since I have stopped using the product I have not found any ticks on him...knock on wood. The best thing you can do is to check your dog for ticks after going into areas that are potentially infested with ticks. Get a comb and brush through your dogs fur (I would recommend doing this over a light colored sheet or floor so if one happens to fall off you would see it. Check their paws. I think that it takes 24 hours for the tick to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease so the quicker you find the tick the better. Of course they may be hard to find so you may still miss them, so just watch your dog some dogs constantly mess with the area the tick is attached. I also spray the perimeter of our yard, but it doesn't sound like your yard is really a problem.

Answer 4

we always vaccinate for lymes....first injection then you repeat in about 3 weeks and it's good for a year...then it's just yearly like dhlpp ...as a human who's had lymes I would never leave my dogs unprotected.