Leishmania vaccine - what would you do?

[Teresa]

So...

The very first vaccine protecting dogs against Leishmaniasis in Europe is about to be released and the very first country where it'll be available is Portugal!

They say it's gong to be pricy, but that is not my main concern right now.

Having a vaccine available, I just can't wait to go and give it to my dogs, to get them safer. Pitanga and Romã love being in the water, and in our hot summer climate, they are more at risk because they like to freshen up in every bit of water they find. I currently protect them with Scalibor and Advantix, but this vaccine would put my mind at ease.

The thing is, its a brand new vaccine, and I'm worried about possible side effects that it may have and I'd like to see some numbers on how effective it really is.

What would you do? Would you go ahead and give the vaccine to your dogs, or would you rather wait a while longer and see if anything goes wrong with someone else's dogs?

[Teresa]

That's just the thing... I haven't found any specifics so far, that's what's making me hesitate. My biggest concern is that with the same (very high) level of protection my dogs have, there are now at least 3 dogs I know in this area that got Leishmaniasis despite the good protection that was provided by their owners. I have to say that scares me a bit, and makes me feel like I must do something more fast, like this vaccine. But on the other hand, using something brand new that has not that much information out to public also scares me a bit!

[Teresa]

Yes, this is not the only treatment available and I'm glad there are more choices and more effective treatments - but none of them cures the dog.

You can keep them healthy for a long time doing regular controls and treatments as soon as there is a tiny sign of symptoms, but sooner or later they all develop complications. If any of my dogs gets infected I'll do the treatments for as long as needed, but I'd rather avoid that road completely!

I'll keep digging for more information about the vaccine! If I find anything, I'll make sure to post it here!

[Teresa]

Yes!

This is it, but this is a lot more information than what they let out in Portugal - hopefully more info will pop out.

Thank you very much Cornelia!

[silvia]

Hi Teresa!!

 

thanks for sharing this info about the vaccine, really useful post..

I am going through the posts and papers now, but I wish  to ask you: Oberon is protected with advocate during the year, and I add advantix now in view of taking him in the mediterraneo this summer. Shall we add scalibor? The vet has not mentioned this, she only suggested advantix  (but maybe they dont know, since we dont have mosquitos in south england)  .. thanks!!! Silvia

[Teresa]

I'd talk to your vet about the scalibor - maybe even use Scalibor insetad of advantix, since you use advocate - the biggest advantage of scalibor is that it's water proof - so even if Oberon is having fun in the water he will be protected(and he'll want to, it'll be hot)! Advantix wears of faster if they are in the water. It's a better way to keep them safe.

You should put the scalibor on at least two weeks before entering the critical zone!

Think about scalibor as a good way to protect against the mosquito and use something else for fleas and thicks - sometimes scalibor alone can't beat them, even though it's amazing when it comes to the mosquito. 

Also my vet recommended me not to put a spot on while the collar is on. I always take off the scalibor, wait 24h, put the spot on, wait another 72h and the but back their scalibors. If your dog has never used a scalibor, look for allergies on the first two days. They are very rare, but one of my cocker is allergic and got a nasty rash when we tried it on her. She is the only dog I ever met that reacted, but still, one can never be to careful!

 

Maybe you can find the time to come and visit us in Portugal =)

 

[silvia]

Thanks Teresa! Oberon is protected all year around with advocate, and, in view of taking him in holiday this summer we add now advantix. We have been told they complement each other.  I just heard back from the vet and she also convened to add scalibor as well to be super-sure... Scalibor and Advantix have different products in it, so she said it will not be an overdose at all.

Both companies, advantix and scalibor, report that their product alone will be enough, but I it is  always a concern on leishmaniosis... She (the vet) also adviced us to wait 1d after the spot before to put the collar, as you did, so great. I will also alternate advocate and advantix shifted by 15d (both treatments are given monthly) ...

Ahh and thanks for reminding me to start the collar before the trip and all oher useful tips!! I think scalibor is also good for ticks, so we'll be ok hopefully.. 

I know it will be hot, we are from Italy!! I hope Oberon will not complain too much (he'll probably be in the sea water  all day long;)

Thanks for the invitation :) we're taking the eurotunnel, driving to Nice and jumping on a ferry to Corse this time, but Algarve is conveniently linked to the UK by ferry, so it may be in our to-do list for the future (well, to-go list ;) )

 

all the best

silvia

[silvia]

oops!!!!!!!!! I just checked the collar instructions:

 

`While occasional contact with water does not reduce the effectiveness of the collar, it should always be removed before swimming and bathing the dog because the active substance is harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms.`  + `Deltamethrin is harmful to fish, other aquatic organisms and bees.`

 

no way we can use it in the beach.. Do you think it works if we start a couple of weeks before (to reach the full effect), but then while there we take the collar off during daytime and only put it on again in the evening/overnight ? Mosquitos have the maximum peak in the evening... 

thanks!!!

all the best

 

Silvia

[Teresa]

I only take it out while they are actually in the water. I live in a very high risk area and this has been the best compromise i have found between keeping them safe and not harming fish or any other animal. Sunrise and sunset are a must with the collar no matter where I am.

If I were you, I'd add sunrise and sunset to the times the collar is on, other than that, he should be well protected as deltamethrin has a slow absortion and long effect.

Oh, and you are right, scalibor is generally safe for thicks, but at least here in Portugal we are now finding some thicks that have "adjusted" to the collar, and while they don't actually stay on the dog for long, they are capable of bitting and surviving - I just learnt that the hard way, as Pitanga is recovering from a mild case of ehrlichiosis. She is doing fine as I caught it early but she still has to do a treatment for a whole month. Not the nicest of times for her!

[silvia]

ok, thanks a lot!! very useful info indeed!! I am concerned since Oberon is not even used to mosquitos, etc, probably since generations- other dogs I had in Italy have been  protected, but first it was >15years ago and second they probably also had their own antibodies since generations of mosquito bites and hot summers.. For oberon is probably the first time he met a mosquito since the grand-grand-father since we dont have them in the UK ;)

 

and, as you said, these nasty parasites adjust themselves year by year :(

 

thanks a lot Teresa!!!!

 

[Howard Glansfield]

Difficult one to answer,I suppose it depends how great the risk is of your dogs getting Leishmaniasis.I think I would continue to protect my dogs the way you are at the moment. 

[Teresa]

Found some more info - and now I have more questions than before... I'll look for the answer to those questions now!

http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/veterin...

 

i'll keep digging for proper scientific articles that will explain the why's, how's and but's

[Howard Glansfield]

I don't pretend to understand this but you might,it is dated 2010.

http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/3637/