I wish that Katie’s suffering was an isolated incident but I am afraid that may not be the case. The owner of a "movie" dog called and wanted me to try to collect semen on her very infirm dog. Although the littermates to this dog had no health problems, he had been diagnosed, after $1,000's of tests, with immune mediated disease. After hearing the symptomatic history I said, "and this started 10-14 days after a Lyme Disease vaccine?" She hesitated and said she’d have to look up her records but, "Why do you ask?"

Sounds similar to the many calls we get from all over the country. Later she reported "Yes, only that one dog had been given the Lyme Disease vaccine." PLEASE, PLEASE, owners report these Lyme Disease reactions to the FDA on Form 1932 (7/84) called Adverse Drug Reaction, Lack of Effectiveness, Product Defect Report. DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR VETERINARIAN TO REPORT!!! YOU CAN FILL OUT THE FORM. All dog owners should report these adverse reactions to help avoid unnecessary suffering such as Katie experienced.

By the way, in the Mastiff Reporter issue in March, 1995 (Volume III/#2) Dr. Dodds stated she did not recommend Lyme Disease vaccine. Hopefully, your readership is larger now and word will reach more owners.