Vaccination against Leptospira interrogans is only available for the serovars called canicola, grippotyphosa, pomona and icterohaemorragiae..  As a result of long standing use of this vaccine, it is hard to assess how important it is to vaccinate against leptospirosis. (As you might imagine, most recent outbreaks involve serovars for which vaccination does not exist.)

Vaccination against the four serovars mentioned is commonly included in the basic distemper shot (DHLPP - the “L” stands for “leptospirosis”).  The vaccine can be made up to omit the leptospirosis portion. Of all the sera in this basic vaccine, it seems to be the leptospirosis portion that is associated with hives, facial swelling, and even life-threatening vaccination reactions much more than any of the other fractions. If there is any question of an animal having a vaccine reaction, leptospirosis vaccine is left out of the mix
This is why we choose to leave out the vaccine:

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF OUR PUPS AFTER A VET. GAVE HER THAT VACCINE.
Poor Ivy!!

OMG is she ok now?

Yes, Ivy is just fine now. All it it took was a shot of ephenephrin and then treatments of baby benadryl and she cleared right up.

I gave her to my mother for Christmas a couple of years ago, but I will never forget taking her to the Vet. the day before Christmas Eve and that happening to her.

It was so sad. I didn't like seeing her that way, so I thought I might share my experience with the Lepto vaccine with others.

Wow!  That's terrible!  We lived in Hawaii and Lepto was always a concern.  It's so common there.  I was more worried that the vaccine wouldn't cover her from all the different types, than worry about what the vaccine would do to her!  It's so hard to know when the vaccine's will help or harm your dog. I'm so glad your little girl made it! 

OMG !!!!!

Thank God she is OK

IT'S THE FIRST TIME WHEN I SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND I'M TERRIFIED.

I'M GLAD SHE'S OK NOW!

THANK'S LISA YOU'VE SHARED WITH US THIS TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!

I wish she would be fine. That's a side sight for us chi lovers. I wish Ivy good health.