A LAMPETER dog lover has described her distress at seeing her beloved pet die in “horrific” circumstances, which she says was after being treated with a controversial vaccine.

Devastated Lisa Edwards spoke out after Sally, her nine-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, died last month.

She had been given a vaccine to protect her against a mild bacterial infection.

Fears over the safety of the Nobivac Lepto 4 vaccine against leptospirosis – which is spread to dogs through the urine of rats - led veterinary organisations to issue warnings about their possible side effects.

Sally had been adopted by Ms Edwards and her family as a rescue puppy.

Ms Edwards told the Cambrian News: “Within two months of the vaccinations, Sally had developed severe pancreatitis which grew worse and worse.

“Soon she was bleeding, being sick, suffering from diarrhoea and had to be put on a drip – yet I was assured her symptoms were nothing to do with the vaccination.

“But every time she had it her fur was falling out and she developed really stiff joints. Sally just never recovered from the last shot she had in April.

“Watching a member of your family die is such an horrific way was one of the worst experiences of my life - my daughter and grandson were equally devastated.”

The vaccine, which is manufactured by MSD Animal Health, a subsidiary of American conglomerate Merck Sharp & Dohme, is currently being monitored by the Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

The regulator has, however, refused to reveal the total number of animals that had been affected since the product came onto the market, prompting speculation among dog owners that the scale of problem is being kept hidden from the public.

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