posted
My friend from CT moved out to Santa Rosa, California about a year ago. Her dog became sick recently with a fever, achy limbs and some swollen lymph nodes. The dog tested negative for Lyme but was suspected of having lymphoma from a needle biopsy.
While they were waiting to see the oncology vet they did put the dog on abx, and symptoms began to resolve. The oncology vet did another type of Lyme test which in fact came back strongly positive. He still said there was only a 5% chance it was Lyme because "dogs out here don't get Lyme Disease."
Of course my friend is putting her dog on chemo, but meanwhile she is skeptical that there is no canine Lyme in Santa Rosa, CA.
If anyone has any suggestions, referrals, websites or other that might help educate/inform, please let me know. I'll pass on the info. Many thanks.
Posts: 459 | From Connecticut - just across the river from the Lymes (Old Lyme, Hadlyme, East Lyme, South Lyme & Lyme) | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
That's silly - of course there's Lyme there, as well as several support groups in the area, from early on, even preceding CALDA's formation in the late 80s.
There's an interesting site called www.dogsandticks.com. When you move the cursor over all the states, it shows what infections dogs are getting in various areas. And where the dogs are getting it, so are we...
So I think this vet needs to get more educated about the prevalence of Lyme in the area. In general, vets are more aware of these illnesses.
What this means in practical terms is we and our pets need tick repellent on.
PS I just saw your bottom line there about all the Lymes. Then can some of us say Lymes disease and get away with it?! I see Hadlyme. What about Havelyme?
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
They should check for Toxoplasmosis (Erlichia) in addition to Lyme. It is a common dog infection here, and many other places.
Lyme is certainly more likely that Lymphoma, no matter where you live.
Dan
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I live in Santa Rosa. Here in Sonoma county there is lyme everywhere.
Both myself, my roommate, and my mother are currently being treated for lyme. I beleive I got it in the next county over but this general area is swormed with ticks. They are all over our pets as well.
I'm sure the testing for dogs is inacurate and vets don't take it to serious because dogs are suppose to be "immune" to lyme. I know little to nothing about lyme in pets but can tell you I'm not surprised to hear that about Santa Rosa.
Posts: 56 | From California | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
Thanks for showing up here, Sheryl and Marine. Maybe the oncology vet and your friend could take a look here and read what's been posted?
Btw, I know there are tick repellents at pet stores and at the vet.
I have also heard that Orange Guard can be used as a second protection. It's from oranges, and repels and kills bugs.
I met a woman from LA who has a radio program reaching 650,000 and she has reported to her listeners that she puts it on her dog.
You put a small amount in a spray bottle, fill up with water and lightly rub/mist on the animal's fur.
It's also the tick repellent I use for my clothing and immediate ground area where I am if outside.
Orange Guard can be found in healthfood stores and hardware stores.
The concentrate form is TKO Orange and I have friends in the Santa Rosa area who sell it, if anyone wants to pm me about it. I do not have any financial connection - I just like them.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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