Debating about Lepto Vax - long

[J Evans]

Hi everyone.

I recently took Indie (will be 7 in Sept) for a check up and to check 
titers.  He has plenty of immunity against everything, but 
Leptospirosis.  My inclination is to not vaccinate for Lepto, because there 
is a fairly low incidence in our area, according to a Vet who specializes 
in infectious diseases.  The Vet said that the Vet school (at Purdue) does 
recommend the vaccination, especially for dogs who frequent ponds and rural 
areas where the disease is more prevalent.  (that's daily, for us = where 
we live). My dog's personal Vet also
thinks Indie should get the vax. The newer 4 way Vac which covers 2 strains 
that rarely occur and 2 newer strains, was  recommended. It has a low 
incidence of side effects/problems associated with it (1 in 1000), but my 
hesitation is partly due to the information that Berners, Poodles, Afgans 
and ?, are more susceptible to auto-immune related problems which can be 
associated with vaccines.  Because of that and because our older girl, 
Trace, died not long after receiving a lepto shot, my emotions are 
screaming:  DON'T!!! give this vax to an "older" Bernese.  I cannot prove 
that Trace's anemia/decline/death was a side effect, but due to the timing, 
I at least wonder.  Lepto can cause some serious problems and some dogs do 
die from it - I forget the death rate due to the disease, itself.

Help!  I would appreciate input from Berner owners concerning their call on 
vaccinating
Berners against lepto.
One other piece of the puzzle that bothers me:  In the past, Indie has had 
yearly, routine vaccinations.  For about 2 weeks after that, he has been 
'not himself,' and I would bet the farm it's due to a reaction to the 
vacs.  It was always a combo shot, and not just lepto.

If you do not have your Berner vaccinated for Lepto, why and does your dog 
receive other routine vaccinations?
To those who titer:  do you check Lepto?
Given the info above, would you have Indie vaccinated for Lepto, if he were 
your dog.

I don't want to spark a vaccination controversy, but will appreciate 
knowing what other Berner owners do, before making a decision for my dog.

Thanks, and hugs to your dogs,
Jill with Indie and Gabby