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Originally posted by lymequestion:
I am confused. The vet has this little test that looks like a pregnancy test. My dog was tested with a few drops of blood and in 2 minutes, we saw a plus sign - it is very reliable.

They test ticks and this is reliable.

WHY can't they test a human and it be reliable?

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It is so weird but true. After I told my dog's vet all about the ordeal I went through, he shook his head and said I should have just given him my blood sample and he would be able to tell in minutes. He does not understand all the poor testing problems either. (Also he knows all about the late stage and chronic lyme controversy.)He found Sweetpea's lyme quickly and she was treated properly. Dogs do seem to get better treatment than humans.

 

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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
 
As a veterinary technician, I understand your frustration.

There is much more awareness in Veterinary Medicine about Lyme disease and dogs. If a liping dog with swollen joints and a fever comes in I would already have the test ready to use beore the doctor said a word..

There is some controversey in animal medicine too, but nothing like in human medicine.

Veterinarians are amazing and they usually have open minds unlike a lot of MD's.
 

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Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
Anyone know why it is that dogs seem more resistant to lyme than humans are and they get ticks on them like clockwork?
 

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Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
 
I assume that it was the IDEXX Snap-3D Lyme test for dogs that was used?

Merrygirl, did you ever try to test yourself using a canine Lyme blood test? Maybe you should...... just to see what you get.

Tracy
 

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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
 
yes that is the test we use, I will try it when and if I can get back to work, But don't tell. LOL.

I am not sure if k9 antibodies are different from humans, I will have to check...
 

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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
 
Here is an interesting read. Honestly I am herxing and cant think straight.

I dont know if the snap test would react to human antibodies...

http://www.idexx.com/animalhealth/laboratory/c6/c6whitepaper.pdf
 

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Posted by buckfever (Member # 9876) on :
 
I am a dog owner and amatuer trainer in field trials for retrievers . As such I am around many dogs that have had lyme .

The snap IIII test is the newest and probably the best out there right now .

Both of my black labs have had lyme , and were treated succesfully , but like humans ,28 days is not 100% succesful all the time .

I know of a few dogs that have it chronically and they are checked regularly with blood tests . They keep on eye on liver and kidney as this is where the bacteria usually can cause the most life threatening problems .

I asked my vet if he would treat me , and he just smiled and said I'd have to grow 2 more legs and a tail first!
 

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Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
I'm not convinced all dogs test positive who are infected. It's clear that my dog was / is [to some extent still] infected. She improved with oral antibiotics, though she occasionally needs to be re-treated (same symptoms as myself; exposed to same groups of ticks).

We both test negative. Maybe it's the strain?


CBL.
 

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Posted by buckfever (Member # 9876) on :
 
Hi Can. ,are you treating your dog or is your vet.?
 

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Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
Hi Buckfever,

It's been my vets who have treated my dog.
 

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Posted by buckfever (Member # 9876) on :
 
Have they tested her liver and kidneys as a way to know how her treatment is going ?I ask because Ihave 2 dogs ( apuppy coming next week makes 3)and I really don't trust the tests as much as some , especially with recurrance .

These docs can mess with me , but DON"T mess with my dogs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PM me if you like as I would like to discuss further . thanks !
 

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Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
 
Merrygirl, I'm pretty sure you are right about K9 antibodies being much different than humans. (And, no, we will never tell about your little experiment.)

Does anybody have a vet that routinely tests for Babesiosis? I don't think IDEXX even has a test for this......

Tracy
 

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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
 
we can order all kinds of tick panels from the lab we use called Antech. I beleive Babs is on there....
 

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