Dog been given wrong vaccination

[CellophaneFlower]

My 1yo dog was due her L4 booster yesterday. I was slightly wary of the L4 as it appears not all vets deem it necessary in this country but it was what her breeder gave her, so that's what I stuck with.

My local vets don't offer L4 so I got a pet plan at Vets4Pets for vaccinations, flea treatment etc. Every time I've dealt with them there's been an issue... always give me half the wormer she needs (large dog), not updating her weight on her records, then when I question why, denying I've been in at all and having no record of my appointment etc etc.

Anyway, last night was the cherry on the cake when they gave her the L2 booster instead of the L4. When I pointed out the mistake, the vet nurse (who had already popped out the room then returned and told me to "give the tablets 3 times a day for the vomiting".. clearly had confused me with someone else despite only leaving the room for a few minutes) hurried off to speak to the vet. She came back and said it was fine and to just bring her back in 2 weeks for the L4.

I have absolutely no faith in this practice whatsoever so now concerned about my dog having yet another booster. She's just had the L2, which covers her for 2 strains of lepto, so if she now has the L4 I assume she'll be double dosed for those 2 strains? Does this increase her likelihood of having a reaction does anybody know? I will call my local vets today to find out their thoughts too but if anybody can offer any knowledgeable advice that would be great.

I wouldn't give it again.
I'd also be asking serious questions.

Totally unacceptable

I don't give the lepto vaccine out of choice, it's very unusual in my area, my vets have never ever seen a case.

I’d be contacting a holistic vet, I use Birgit Holistic vets and have phone consultations with them, they then can send you natural remedies to help mitigate any adverse reactions.
I also strongly believe in as little medical intervention as needed.

There shouldn't be an issue with her having a different vaccination in two weeks, but I certainly would never go to Vets4Pets again.

I've had rats in my garage/garden and we field/country walk every day, that's why I thought it might be best to keep her vaccinated.

The nurse actually tried to put it on me, as I hadn't brought her vaccination card and apparently the only info they hold is "Lepto", not which type she had previously.

I'm assuming she's now fully boosted for the L2 strains as it stands 🤔

Oh I was just waiting for her booster then going to cancel anyway. I've honestly never received such shocking service.

Just in 2 minds whether to leave her now and just get the L2 from now on or go back for the L4 🤷‍♀️

If she goes in and around rivers or flooded fields she needs lepto. She’ll be fine to have it in a couple of weeks.

The only way to protect is vaccination. It’s obviously a personal decision but I’ve had many animals vaccinated and they have all lived long, happy and healthy lives. Other than the occasional small lump on the site I’ve had no issues. Homeopathic water is not vaccination and has no grounding in fact or science.

Definitely get advice from your usual vet and follow that. Yes the two strains in the L2 will have been boosted.

This.

Vaccination is nothing short of a miracle when you stop and think about it. If your dog goes anywhere near natural bodies of water, there will almost certainly be rats. Rats carry lepto. It's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you. She doesn't go in either of these but we do walk next to rivers and lakes and I don't want to be paranoid every time she's sniffing about.

Do you not think the L2 is enough? We're in greater London if that makes a difference.

I would get the L4 jab done in a few weeks with VetsforPets as presumably you won't have to pay for it, then change vets.

No definitely not paying! I'd actually quite like my whole year's payments refunded as they've been a nightmare from start to finish. Doubt that will happen though!

Ddog had lepto 2 at breeders. I had lepto 4 course started again a couple of weeks after his
secind lepto 2! He was fine. I’d think if he’d had lepto 4 previously with no issues he’s very unlikely to have an adverse reaction. They get two doses two weeks apart for the primary course so this will
just be more like having a primary course again.

I’m confused. Is your dog under 2 different vet practices? If so, why?

My local vets don't offer L4 so I got a pet plan at Vets4Pets for vaccinations, flea treatment etc.

The reason it was changed from 2 to 4 was due to imported dogs bringing in new strains.

If she were mine, otherwise fit and healthy then I'd go for the L4 booster. The L2 will give some immunity but not enough to the dominant strain.

My last dog had to be revaccinated with L4 when she was about 14 as the local strains changed. She was fine. She was still walking regularly around rivers and we know there are rats around. We only stopped when she was no longer going on rural walks and pottering around the block. Our vet was fully in agreement on this (he does the same with his own dogs)

This doesn’t explain why the OP is using another vet alongside Vets4Pets 😂

I would be looking to take that further and be refunded at least part of the plan I paid for, it may not be serious but it's hugely unacceptable and they should not be allowed to simply get away with it.

Thank you. That's made me feel much better!

I was in a bit of a quandary already about the L4, so having decided to bite the bullet, really could have done without this 🙈

The thought of her becoming ill from the vaccine I chose to give her was bad enough, but the thought of her becoming ill because she's overloaded due to that bloody vet nurse's incompetence would probably finish me off! However, I know what I'm like and being paranoid constantly on our walks isn't something I'd look forward to either!

She won't be harmed by having two different vaccines - it's very common for puppies to start on one type and have to switch to another as the new vet doesn't carry the same brand etc.

Another important thing to remember is that if your dog gets sick from a condition that could have been prevented by a vaccine, your insurance company won't pay out (unless they can't be vaccinated for medical reasons and that's noted on their information).

Hello 😃
Sorry you're having this issue. You already know my story of Nobivac 4 so I won't go into it here, but I just want to say that I hope your regular vet can advise. It sounds as if the other place has really let you down.

When we got our puppy our vet didn't offer the same vaccination as the breeder had had.
We were advised to ring round to see if any other vet offered it locally. Luckily found one and dog was given second puppy vaccination.
On going back to our vet for something completely different they told us the jab wasn't compatible and doggo was now not completely vaccinated. We had to wait for a period of time for our vet to give a compatible jab to the second one.
What a mess about and hindered our dogs socialisation.
So it is possible to be under two vets at once.

Get the jab you're owed and find another vet.