this question is obviously not for humans but still what i consider a "medical" question.
we just got back from the lab rescue meeting and they had a beautiful chocolate lab who has what the woman called a "tick borne" disease. when asked what, she said ehrlichiosis. i asked if she was treated and she said yes, she was cured.
i'd love to have that dog,but am concerned about everything i am reading.
they say two weeks of doxy but if that doesn't work for humans, why should it work for a dog.
are vets pretty knowledgeable about lyme in animals?
would you get a pet with a lyme borne illness when you already have it? she was so pretty....
i could have put this in lyme support or something but to me, this IS a medical question...uh, sort of...
[ 12. January 2008, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: randibear ]
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I've read that for some strange reason, dogs usually do get better with short term treatment. I always hated that dogs were cured so fast and it's never, for the most part, this easy for humans.
I've also heard that most vets are pretty knowledgable in lyme disease.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Ehrlichiosis is really common in dogs!!! but 2 weeks DOES seem too short- I agree with you- here's article saying 3-4 weeks is standard in dogs- BUT there is also a wonder drug they use with animals - imidocarb- which clears them up sooner than with humans- I WISH it was ok to use in humans but it is not- ****************** Ehrlichiosis Holly Nash, DVM, MS Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Canine ehrlichiosis is a disease of dogs and wild canids (e.g.; wolves) and is found worldwide. Canine ehrlichiosis is also known by other names such as 'tracker dog disease,' 'tropical canine pancytopenia,' 'canine hemorrhagic fever,' and 'canine typhus.' It affected a large number of military dogs in the war in Vietnam. What causes ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis in dogs is most commonly caused by Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and possibly E. ruminantium. There are multiple strains of Ehrlichia, affecting different species of animals. Some also affect people. Some organisms that were formerly classified as Ehrlichia have now been reclassfied as Anaplasma. The Ehrlichia organisms are what we call rickettsia, which on the evolutionary scale are between bacteria and viruses. How is ehrlichiosis treated?
The antibiotics, tetracycline or doxycycline are used. Treatment is usually for 3-4 weeks, even though the dog's symptoms generally improve after several days of therapy. Some dogs will need blood transfusions or intravenous fluids depending on the severity of the disease. Generally, the prognosis during the acute phase is good, if the animal is properly treated. Dogs who go on to the chronic phase have a poorer prognosis. German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers tend to have a more severe chronic form of the disease.
The drug, imidocarb dipropionate, is sometimes used in conjunction with the antibiotics. It is given as an injection, but may not be available in all areas.
Some of the damage caused by Ehrlichia may be due to the dog's own immune response to the organism. For this reason, if immune-mediated arthritis or decrease in platelets occurs, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) may be given.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Dogs definitely do a lot better than people.
I personally would not let this stop me from getting a pet.
You may want to just look over the medical records for yourself. Just read everything.
Vets are a lot more knowledgeable about TBI. Way way better than most MD'S.
How is the dog acting now? When was it sick?
You may have to give the dog (doggie) NSAIDS if she has arthritis etc...
If money is a major issue you may ot want this dog..