Dexter has Lyme disease :( - YorkieTalk.com Forums

celstu1 · 09-12-2010, 10:09 AM

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?

Britster · 09-12-2010, 10:20 AM

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.

shodanusmc · 09-12-2010, 10:21 AM

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

celstu1 · 09-12-2010, 10:33 AM

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?

shodanusmc · 09-12-2010, 10:46 AM

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.

Lisa and Pic · 09-12-2010, 01:43 PM

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...

kjc · 09-12-2010, 05:21 PM

Lucky it was caught early... good job Mommie

ladyjane · 09-12-2010, 05:54 PM

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!

linda44 · 09-13-2010, 02:20 AM

aww sorry to hear that. Sending prayers for Dex to have a speedy recovery, and no ill effects...

ltret0294 · 09-13-2010, 02:47 AM

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.

Take care of Dex and yourself. He will be ok.

celstu1 · 09-13-2010, 06:57 AM

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.

Cha Cha · 09-13-2010, 08:44 AM

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.

yorkieusa · 09-13-2010, 07:06 PM

So sorry to read Dex tested positive. I hope he'll be just fine.

shodanusmc · 09-14-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emopoops

no its not true.

What is not true? I think I need more coffee.

shodanusmc · 09-14-2010, 07:03 AM

Ok, I admit, I am now lost!

09-12-2010, 10:09 AM	#1
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	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? __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

09-12-2010, 10:20 AM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	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. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

09-12-2010, 10:33 AM	#4
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	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? __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

09-12-2010, 01:43 PM	#6
Lisa and Pic ♥ Piccolo & Vivi ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 14,311	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... __________________ Lisa, Dixie, and Jazzy (RIP Piccolo and Vivi)

09-12-2010, 05:21 PM	#7
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,865	Lucky it was caught early... good job Mommie __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

09-12-2010, 10:21 AM	#3
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	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

09-12-2010, 10:46 AM	#5
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	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.

09-12-2010, 05:54 PM	#8
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,372	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! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

09-13-2010, 02:20 AM	#9
linda44 Luv my 7 Furkids Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: napa Posts: 9,655 Blog Entries: 4	aww sorry to hear that. Sending prayers for Dex to have a speedy recovery, and no ill effects... __________________ Linda, & furbutts http://www.sketchesbybarney.com

09-13-2010, 02:47 AM	#10
ltret0294 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 838	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. Take care of Dex and yourself. He will be ok. __________________ Zack, Zeke, Zoey, Zipp RIP 6/28/12

09-13-2010, 06:57 AM	#11
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	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. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

09-13-2010, 08:44 AM	#12
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	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. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

09-13-2010, 07:06 PM	#13
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	So sorry to read Dex tested positive. I hope he'll be just fine. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

09-14-2010, 07:03 AM	#15
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	Ok, I admit, I am now lost!