Decreased red blood cell count after Leptospirosis Vaccine in dogs

55 reports to the FDA describe decreased red blood cell count in dogs given Leptospirosis Vaccine. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

55Reports
87%Marked serious
3.6%Recovered
38%Died or euthanised
20 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
7 17%
1–2 days
3 7.3%
3–7 days
5 12%
1–4 weeks
11 27%
Over a month
15 37%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 3.6%
Still unwell when reported
20 36%
Died
10 18%
Euthanised
11 20%
Not known
12 22%

Problems reported at the same time

Liver problems
35 64%
Loss of appetite
31 56%
Lethargy
30 55%
Blood problems
25 45%
Vomiting
24 44%
Death
21 38%
Kidney problems
19 35%
Low platelet count
19 35%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
9
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
12
8–11 years
12
12+ years
8

About this medicine

Type: vaccine.

Mild, short-lived lethargy, soreness or a small lump at the injection site are the most commonly reported vaccine reactions.

Questions owners ask

Can Leptospirosis Vaccine cause decreased red blood cell count in dogs?
55 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 20 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Leptospirosis Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count