Why has Canigen® Lepto 2 been discontinued?
Updated WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Vaccination Guidelines have been published, which now have a clear recommendation for the use of quadrivalent leptospirosis vaccines in countries where the sero-epidemiological data for the serogroups is known, which is the case for the UK: “In countries or regions where canine leptospirosis is endemic, implicated serogroups are known, and where suitable vaccines are available for use, vaccination of all dogs against leptospirosis is highly recommended and these vaccines should be considered core in those places.”How important is it to vaccinate against leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by a type of bacteria called Leptospira, which is spread in the urine of infected animals and can live in water or soil for months. Dogs are at higher risk if they live in a farm environment, regularly kill rodents, or spend time around slow-moving or stagnant water (e.g., rivers, canals, or ponds).
Leptospira can enter the body through the nose, mouth, or wounds and damages vital organs such as the liver and the kidneys.
Leptospirosis is also zoonotic, meaning it can pass from dogs to humans and cause serious illness.
What is the difference between Canigen® Lepto 2 and Canigen® Lepto 4?
Canigen® Lepto 2 contains 2 strains of leptospire: Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae, which were historically the most common strains seen. However, with increased pet travel and dogs being imported into the UK, other strains are being increasingly seen. Canigen® Lepto 4 contains 4 strains of leptospire: Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, and Grippotyphosa. In Europe, Grippotyphosa in particular has been identified as a major cause of canine leptospirosis.If a dog has been vaccinated with Lepto 2, how do they transition to Lepto 4?
To transition from Canigen® Lepto 2 to Canigen® Lepto 4, all dogs will need to receive two doses of Canigen® Lepto 4 four weeks apart to benefit from the increased spectrum of protection.
Is there a difference in adverse events between Lepto 2 and Lepto 4 vaccines?
There are a number of vaccines authorised in the UK containing either two (L2) or four (L4) strains of Leptospira. Based on the most recent periodic safety update report data received for each product, the incidence of adverse animal events for all L2 vaccine products combined is 0.016%; for L4 vaccine products, this figure is 0.045%.
In other words, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has received fewer than 2 adverse events for L2, and fewer than 5 for L4, for every 10,000 doses sold.
The overall incidence of suspected adverse events for both L2 and L4 vaccine products is therefore considered to be rare.
References
- Taylor C, Brodbelt DC, Dobson B, Catchpole B, O’Neill DG, Stevens KB. Spatio-temporal distribution and agroeocological factors associated with canine leptospirosis in Great Britain. Prev Vet Med. 2021; 193: 105407.
- Van den Broek, A.H.M., Thrusfield, M.V., Cobbiet, G.R., Ellis, W.A., 1991. A serological and bacteriological survey of leptospiral infection in dogs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. J. Small Anim. Pract.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1991.tb00526.x. - Ellis, W.A., 2010. Control of canine leptospirosis in Europe: time for a change? Vet. Rec. 167, 602-605.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c4965. - Squires, R.A., Crawford, C., Marcandes, M. and Whitley, N. (2024). 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats – compiled by the Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). J Small Anim Pract, 65: 277-316.
- Ellis, W.A., 2010. Control of canine leptospirosis in Europe: time for a change? Vet. Rec. 167, 602-605.
- Veterinary Medicines Directorate (2023). Leptospira vaccination in dogs. Available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/leptospira-vaccination-in-dogs (Accessed 31st October 2024).
