Lyme Disease

• 07-11-2007 6:51 PM

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260

  Lyme Disease Reply Contact we recently brought a dog up for adoption with lyme disease - unfortunatly, none of us really know too much about it. It's not common in our area (not many wooded areas) I have tried to do some research, but I have not really found too much about it that I am finding helpful. I know it's not contagious to other dogs, they get it from ticks, etc. My main question here is - is it really treatable? He is on meds right now (I'm not sure which ones, I can look it up though), but will it ever go away? I need to be able to educate the public about the disease, but I cannot do that if I know nothing about it! any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

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• 07-11-2007 10:44 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  brookcove Joined on 09-10-2007 Semora, North Carolina, USA Posts 4,654 Points 335

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact 1) Thank you for giving a home to a homeless pet - especially one with health issues! 2) Lyme can be tough to beat, especially if the dog has been dealing with it for a while. Ben carried Lyme in the subclinical phase for six months after we adopted him as a pup, and then "crashed" into chronic Lyme and began experiencing cycles where we'd treat his symptoms, then he'd be fine for a while, then he'd get sick again. But gradually the time between episodes got longer and the episodes themselves became milder, and eventually it went away. It took over a year though - and he had one more episode eighteen months out from our first treatment. It's not always that bad though - Ben has a terrible immune system. 3) Join Tick-L. You can Google it - it will come right up. It will make all the difference to you and your dog as you fight this. There is a wealth of knowledge there and a couple of the world's foremost experts on TBDs are active there - though most likely your questions can be answered through use of the archives alone. Good luck! Becca Shouse: Irena Farm, Semora, NC Cord, Ted, Gus, Zhi, Maggie, Lynn, Lu, Min and Tully Waiting: Bubo & Ben "We didn't have a phone, and we couldn't call you!" Helen, AIDS orphan. Don't let them die of ignorance - WorldHelp.net "I-Dog Biggest Loser" Official Cheerleader/Mascot Start 09/15/08: 186.4 lbs Current 175.6 lbs

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• 07-12-2007 10:45 AM

  In reply to erica1989

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,215 Points 0

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact Michelle tested positive for Lyme disease about 5 years ago.   I don't think she had ever been tested for it before that.  She was treated twice but always came up positive after that.   Even tho she was always positive she never had a symptom.   I think its like humans - some are affected, some are not. People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 07-12-2007 8:48 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact 1) Thank you for giving a home to a homeless pet - especially one with health issues unfortunatly - I did not adopt him. I volunteer/work at an animal shelter, and we brought up a dog for adoption with the disease. The adoptions staff has very little knowledge of this disease, as we have not dealt with it previously. Radar (the positive dog) has not shown any clinical signs of lymes. He was a surrendered dog (the actual owner passed away), so we do not know how long he has had the disease. We are treating it, and he seems to be a very happy-go-lucky boy. I will pass along the Tick-L help sight to whoever adopts this sweetie. Thanks! =]

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• 07-12-2007 11:08 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  sophia Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 442 Points 0

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact My vet practices in Connecticut, which is a hotbed for Lyme Disease (Lyme CT is  the namesake). He says that many dogs in his area are infected and their bodies develop antibodies, but never develop disease and symptoms. It may be very much a case of individual by individual, as JoAnneDe wrote. Some immune systems fight it and some are not able to. I hope that this little guy that you speak of, doesn't develop disease and it's just another antibody that his immune system developed. Please keep us posted.

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• 07-14-2007 7:11 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,781 Points 330

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact http://www.minden.com/nowhereelse/canine_tick_disease.htm Doxycycline, a semi-synthetic tetracycline, is the drug of choice, the most effective against Ehrlichiosis and Lyme.  It is given at 10 milligrams per kilogram (1 kg = 2.2 lbs.) of the dog's body weight every twelve hours for six to eight weeks.  Another way to figure this, on the basis of pounds, is 5 mg. per pound of body weight.    This is twice the amount recommended in the Merck Veterinary Manual and is given for a longer period of time than the VMM recommends; however, vets who deal with tick disease all the time say that the higher doses and longer administration are successful far more often in treating this disease and preventing its recurrence.

  Filed under: Lyme med dosage, Lyme disease Post Points: 0

• 07-16-2007 12:30 AM

  In reply to erica1989

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact thanks! I looked up his treatment sheet today and he is on the doxy for lymes, and other stuff for his bad skin (the poor boy...) my last remaining question (I think...) is: once he is done with his meds, and we retest him, is there a chance that the disease can come back? Or is it gone (as long as he is on preventative)? After going through this once, is his immune system more susceptible to getting lymes again?

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• 07-16-2007 1:37 AM

  In reply to erica1989

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,781 Points 330

  RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact erica1989: thanks! I looked up his treatment sheet today and he is on the doxy for lymes, and other stuff for his bad skin (the poor boy...)  What is his doxy dosage?  That is super important.  He needs to be on 5 mg per pound of body weight twice a day for 6-8 weeks as described in my last post.  Many vets don't know that the dosage needs to be that high.   What kind of skin problem is he having? erica1989: my last remaining question (I think...) is: once he is done with his meds, and we retest him, is there a chance that the disease can come back?  Or is it gone (as long as he is on preventative)?  After going through this once, is his immune system more susceptible to getting lymes again? Yes, it can come back especially if he doesn't get the right dosage of doxy.  As Brookcove noted above, her dog spent over a year going between chronic Lyme and subclinical Lyme before they finally got it beat.   I know of no "preventative" for Lyme other than avoiding ticks.     http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/lyme.html Can a dog contract Lyme Disease a second time?  Yes.  But, quite honestly, we don't know for sure if the reoccurrence is a second, distinct infection or a flare-up of the original episode (because the Borrelia organism replicates quite slowly).  TICK-L Links Page http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ticklinks.htm

  Filed under: Lyme med dosage, Lyme disease, TICK-L links Post Points: 0

• 07-16-2007 9:24 AM

  In reply to erica1989

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260	RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact I can look up the dosage when I get into work today... He is on cephalexin for his skin, I'm not sure of the exact problem - probably just dry and irritated.  I know he is also getting weekly medicated baths as well
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• 10-14-2008 10:00 PM

  In reply to janet_rose

  Henrietta Joined on 10-13-2008 Posts 14 Points 15

  Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact Our Henrietta might begoing through Lyme. see here: http://community.dog.com/forums/t/86705.aspx She is on 250mg (she is 50lbs) every 12 hours, but the vet had her only on it for 3 weeks in which she was almost was better than ever, like a 6 moth old pup again energy and play wise - another words she responded very well to Doxy, but after the 3 weeks of Doxy was up, she then showed symptoms again in 2-3 days. then back on it - they said try 2 more weeks since she responded so well before. after the additional two weeks of Doxy was done - last week Monday morning was last dose, it was 5-6 days and symptoms are back. back on Doxy again, three doses so far, bad situation with vet can not get any time with the Doc so hopefully the Doxy works a 3rd time and she starts showing improvement tomorrow. in mean time we are looking for a new vet.

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• 10-14-2008 10:06 PM

  In reply to Henrietta

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260	Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact have they actually tested for lymes? I've learned a lot since posting this.... there are snap tests avalible, and you can also sent blood out to the lab... I would test before putting a dog through al that medication!
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• 10-14-2008 11:31 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  Henrietta Joined on 10-13-2008 Posts 14 Points 15

  Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact No tests have been done. When this originally occured The Doc/vet looked her over, took her temp, listened to what I discribed she was acting like the last 2-3 days. she was actually acting fine at that point at the vets office. Doc said often an animal will hide symptoms and act fine at the Doctors office. but the morning of the day that I took her to the vet she was barely moving - very slow like severe artheritis and had a limp in the front right (passengers side) paw too. The day before she was slow moving like artheritis, but not as bad and no limp. She didn't want to do anything but lay around. didn't want to play, etc. But she still wanted to eat. He said because of the slightly high temp, the discription of how she was the last 2-3 days that she probably has some tick bourne disease. and that we could do a test, the tests are not perfect, but no mater what the results of the test are it will not change what he recommends which was 250mg doxycycline every 12 hours for 3 weeks. We started her on it and she was better than she had been in a long while. as in a slightly but noticable higher level of activity when playing, on walks, walking around the yard on a leash, etc than she had been in maybe 6 months or more. not that she was low activity before, but since she turned two last march or maybe even earlier durnign the winter, she seemed to mellow just a little from the puppy age. on the Doxy her energy was like that of when she was 6 months old again. but thinkfully, not the chewing or all day activity like she had back then. she was still the same, sleeps most during the day, etc just a little extra gusto when playing, walking, etc.

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• 10-14-2008 11:44 PM

  In reply to Henrietta

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260	Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact I have to agree with treating the symptoms, not the tests - however... I would run some tests, because it could, or could, not be lymes! It could very well be something else, that may need a different course of action. I would, at the very least, get a full blood panel done to rule out any underlying medical issue - and move from there.
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• 10-15-2008 7:50 PM

  In reply to erica1989

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,640 Points 2,075

  Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact Erica -- my biggest question for you is to tell you to have them test cos it's likely Ehrlichea *not* Lymes.  Lyme is really kinda rare in Florida but Ehrlicheosis is rampant.  Slightly different symptoms. They both can take MONTHS to treat.  Long long LONG term antibiotics.  That's typical -- it's not a disease you treat in 2-3 weeks.  It's just plain **not**. Often once they've been exposed the body will develop antibodies -- that may always give a 'positive' test (usually a faint positive but A POSITIVE none the less).So you have to balance common sense with all of this.

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• 10-15-2008 8:00 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,913 Points 260

  Re: RE: Lyme Disease Reply Contact Callie- I started this post over a year ago... the dog in the origional post was long since adopted.... I was responding to Henrietta's questions... the 4dx test we use now do test for lymes, heartworms, ehrilchea and something else (I can never remember, I can look it up). I always reccomend people use the 4d snaps, at LEAST as a base line - something to go from... then send out for real lab work and such. I've done a ton of research since starting this post in July of 07.... =] and I've only seen 1 or 2 lymes+ in my area of FL in the past 4ish years...

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