|
Dexter has Lyme disease :( I took Dex to the vet yesterday for his distemper vac. Since he is new to this vet she did the bloodwork panel and found he tested positive for Lyme disease. He will start a month of antibiotic treatment on tuesday. I had NO idea he was sick. We use frontline and he has not had a tick on him all summer! At least not one that I saw and I check him all the time. I am so upset. I feel like such a bad mommy that my puppy is so sick and I had no idea. He has no symptoms though. He has not changed his behavior at all. I guess there was no way for me TO know. But still I feel so bad and sad. Does anyone know what the long term effects of Lyme disease are? My brother's dog had it once and his vet told him it will take a year off their life so they may die ealier than usual life term. Is this true? |
Jackson tested positive for Lymes back in January. He came out limping one day and it ended up being the lymes affecting his joints. He was put on antibiotics ( doxycycline) for 30 days and was all cleared up. I heard it takes 3-5 months for lymes to show up positive on a test. The vet told me that just because a dog tests positive for lymes, doesn't necessarily mean they *have* lymes for the rest of their life. If that makes sense. If you catch it early enough, and give antibiotics, dogs should be fine for the rest of their lives. He also got lymes while on Frontline, we have switched to K9 Advantix since and no ticks anymore. I've never heard about dying earlier. |
Very sorry to hear that. It happens and there is not a thing you can do sometimes. Happens to people and animal's. At least you now know, and he is being treated for it. Never heard that it takes years off their lives. If that is the case, I have a huge problem! Canine Lyme Disease |
Thanks! I feel better reading these responses. He will start treatment on tuesday, the vet wanted to wait a few days after his vaccine to put him on more meds. He got his vaccine on saturday. My poor baby. You know, he does not limp or anything. I'm wondering if I should take Fletcher for a blood test to check him now too. He had a test in Jan and was negative, but now that Dex has it I'm wondering if I should have Fletch retested that way I can treat them both at the same time. What do you think? |
Peace of mind. It is not a bad idea. There are usually more than one tick around. Chances are you are safe with the other dog, but again, peace of mind. Relax, your Dog will be fine. |
So sorry to hear this about Dex. The vet suspected that my Piccolo might have this, but it turned out to be something else. I also wanted to add that my next door neighbor's dog had Lyme disease and she did very well for a long, long time. Sending positive thoughts your way... |
Lucky it was caught early... good job Mommie :D |
Hey...don't beat yourself. That stuff is SO common in the Northeast. Kudos to you for doing labs on him....lots of people short cut on vetting and don't have a clue their dog is sick until it is really bad. That is why I always do yearly labs on my pups...they are ofen the first sign that something is going on. I have never heard that about it taking years off of their lives. I think once treated, he is going to be just fine! :) |
aww sorry to hear that. Sending prayers for Dex to have a speedy recovery, and no ill effects... |
Ticks I've pulled 3 off Zeke so far, one was really plump and one just had gotten on him. I pulled one off Zack a couple of days ago. Just be careful how you pull them off. Never had problems w/ticks in our part of FL until this summer, so dry. I pat down the pups when we get in from our walks and give them a good feeling over whenever I pet them. Gives me piece of mind and they like the extra attention.:D Take care of Dex and yourself. He will be ok. |
Yeah, I always make sure there are no ticks.... esp since they sleep with us. I don't want to find ticks on me or in my bed! YUCK!!!! No ticks on either of them all year so I have no idea how he got it. Well he did have a tick early in the season, like april or something and I started frontline as soon as I found it. I have no idea if he's had lymes since april though. I don't do frontline all year because I hate doing it at all, it makes my dex sick and throw up and lethargic/sleepy the first 2 days after I apply it. So I don't use it from Nov - April usually. |
I wonder if lymes disease can affect different dogs differently depending on their immune systems. Maybe your baby just has/had a mild case. Whatever the case, it sounds like you have caught it early. Serves as a reminder though why routine bloodwork is a good thing. |
So sorry to read Dex tested positive. I hope he'll be just fine.:) |
Quote:
|
Ok, I admit, I am now lost! |
Quote:
|
Infection and disease aren't synonymous. He may be fighting it off just fine by himself, so his titer is high, but no symptoms are present. He could show symptoms at any time as far as I know. One argument in favor of the lyme vaccine is that they may be fighting the disease off which can stress their kidneys. An argument against would be that we don't know if the vaccine can cause kidneys problems, etc. Some vets don't do lyme titers because with no symptoms, they won't treat. Some do treat. Pretty much a mish mash of different ways of doing things. I wouldn't be overly concerned with a shortened lifespan, esp. if it is being cleared with antibiotics. |
Quote:
"Does anyone know what the long term effects of Lyme disease are? My brother's dog had it once and his vet told him it will take a year off their life so they may die ealier than usual life term. Is this true?" And our new resident physic - or is that psycho - has determined that the vet doesn't know what he is talking about. Maybe she dated a vet and he dumped her??? |
Quote:
|
darn it... whoever emopoops is, don't mess with my post please. This is important to me and I don't want it to be closed. :( |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:40 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use