I just thought of this. I was reading the yankee article. There was a part talking about dogs.
We got our Golden Retriever in September of '05. In October he got so sick. Wouldn't eat, lethargic, got so bad he wouldn't even stand up to pee. We took him to the vet and they ran a lot of tests but couldn't figure out what was wrong.
He did get completely better. Do you think he has Lyme? Maybe it's in remission?
Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
Did you get your dog vacinated? Most dogs get lyme disease vaccines if you take them to the vet regurally. Otherwise, all a vet and have you dog tested. Dogs frequently get LD.
Hope this helped, LuLu
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I'm pretty sure that's what happened to my dog. Found a tick on my dog took her and the tick to the vet. They threw the tick away and said "We don't have lyme here".
Dog was fine off and on but had varying symptoms over several years. Vet couldn't figure it out. She did get lame at one point (typical lyme symptom) but we thought it was arthritis - didn't know anything about lyme disease at the time. She got nystagmus - it went away. She had periods of shaking, lack of appetite and lethargy - vet couldn't figure it out.
A few years after the original bite she suddenly got really sick - high fevers - wouldn't eat - lethargic, couldn't get downstairs to go the bathroom so we had to carry her, on numerous occassions my daughter and I jumped in the shower with her to bring her temp down - vet couldn't figure it out - lots of tests, lots of money - no lyme test - tried some abx - she got better - took her off - she got really sick very quickly - put her on a different abx - she died.
The vet was mystified and we were heartbroken. They sent her body to a University to be autopsied at no charge. Autopsy showed her organs looked really strange, very damaged. Liver was granular. They never figured it out. I've no doubt it was lyme or some other tick infection.
I feel so bad AND ANGRY to think how she must have suffered. My vet is not a bad vet - she just believed what she was told - we don't have lyme here. Kind of stupid when you think about it though because we are on the CDC map as endemic.
Little did I know that my whole family has lyme and that's why we are all sick. Too bad I didn't figure it out while something could have been done for her.
Terry
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Get him tested! OR at least the next time he becomes ill.
Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
Both my golden retrievers have lyme and both had the vaccine. I feel that the vaccine may have actually given it to them if they didn't already have it when they were born.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
My dog's vet has treated my dog based on clinical symptoms and a "family" history of tick borne diseases (meaning me, his mommy). Everywhere I go, my dog has gone, too, and we've been exposed to hundreds of ticks (though he's always on Frontline).
He improves with doxy and/or flagyl, slowly relapses, and goes back on doxy or flagyl to improve again.
According to his vet, there is no cure for Lyme - but tell that to some of the ducks I've seen!
There is a lab in NC that specializes in canine TBI testing, if you're interested in getting your dog tested for co-infections.
It's hard enough for us to have Lyme, but heartbreaking to see our puppy friends suffer... I hope your dog doesn't have Lyme.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I have been a vet tech for 10 years. In Massachusetts we usually see 5-10 dogs that come in not eating, lethargic, limping, fevers and not just acting normal.
It turns out that they test positive in the clinic for Lyme. We get 5-10 cases of Lyme per day!!!!
I personally do not believe in the Lyme vaccine at this time. I have seen too many dogs get sick. I dont recall what state you live in, but you can ask the vet to test the dog in the clinic. It is called a snap test or combo test. It tests for the antibodies for Lyme, Ehrichia (sp?), and heartworm. This is not 100% accurate, but we get a ton of positives.
If the test is positive the vet will give your dog Doxy for a month. Dogs usually feel better in a day or two.
Some dogs get really sick an their kiney can shut down.
The best thing you can do is prevent tick bites by using K9 Advantix every 3 weeks in heavy tick season. This stuff usually works great. Good luck, Melissa
Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
When my dogs tested postive the vet said he doesn't normally treat until they are symptomatic. Well, we all know that if they are that sick its probably too late. I guess vets are just like human doctors. Some are more educated then others.
Its not like the animals can tell you their stomach hurts or their leg joints ache. I have two golden retrievers and I can tell the younger one has issues that are unusual for a golden and probably lyme related. She has always been a little skittish of new people and afraid of odd things.
My male golden is prone to ear infections. I've noticed when he is taking antibiotics, amoxicillin, for an ear infection, he has much more energy after a week. Imagine that.
Posted by TickThis (Member # 11481) on :
Please instill tick prevention for your dog & cat by using the monthly liquid flea and tick products that go on pet between shoulder blades... My dog has Lyme and thankfully the vet was lyme literate... DOXY for 28 days and recheck blood 6 weeks later. 75% of dogs tested at my local animal hospital test POSITIVE FOR LYME DISEASE!
Scary stat, so folks protect your pets as best you can.
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
My vet is not a bad vet - she just believed what she was told - we don't have lyme here. Kind of stupid when you think about it though because we are on the CDC map as endemic.