Lameness after Leptospirosis Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 249 reports of lameness in dogs after Leptospirosis Vaccine. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

249Reports
56%Marked serious
16%Recovered
12%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
52 26%
1–2 days
30 15%
3–7 days
20 10%
1–4 weeks
31 16%
Over a month
64 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
40 16%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.4%
Still unwell when reported
116 47%
Died
10 4.0%
Euthanised
20 8.0%
Not known
62 25%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
48
1–3 years
52
4–7 years
64
8–11 years
52
12+ years
31

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 lameness in dogs?
249 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 7 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Leptospirosis Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with lameness