posted
I don't want to bring up any bad feelings but did you're previous lab pass away due to Lyme? I was just curious. My toy poodle is lethargic and acting strange and I'm scared to death that he has Lyme.
posted
As far as I know (I'm a vet tech), many places use Idexx 3DX heartworm tests which also are elisas for lyme and e.canis. We get positives daily here in Minnesota. Most places test for lyme yearly with the heartworm test (at least that is the case with Banfield). Some places use strictly heartworm tests, but most should be using the 3DX tests. If positive, then we usually treat for 30 days or longer if symptomatic with Doxycycline and as needed. Western Blots and C6s are also available and very expensive. Veterinarians I know usually just treat without all the testing. Once a dog is positive for lyme on the 3DX test (elisa) it is always positive for life and considered chronic no matter what (I mean they will always test positive). So different than in human medicine. Basically, you should just have to ask for the annual heartworm test to get an answer about lyme in a dog- as long as it is the 3DX brand.
Also, dogs tend to handle lyme MUCH better than people. We very rarely ever see tick-borne paralysis and other "late stage" issues (such as neurological issues)- even in dogs that test positive but are never treated their whole lives for whatever reason- usually because owners decline doxy since they see nothing wrong despite our plea that dogs are just stoic and instinctually hide weakness . They usually have lethargy and seem to always have shifting lameness- front limb lame one day, other front the next, then the rear limb the next week, etc. - usually limping. That is, if they are symptomatic at all. We rarely see symptomatic dogs even with all the positives every day. I have no idea why. We like to treat anyway.
Posts: 35 | From Minneapolis, MN | Registered: Aug 2008
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Yes
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
I asked my vet about if they test for lyme recently. They told me they test for it when they test for heartworms. Always! So I am sure they can test her. They say it's pretty accurate but who knows.
-------------------- I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!!!
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
My vet tests annually for Lyme. My older dog had it several years ago and was treated with doxy.
She's fine now at almost nine years old. Her only problem is that she steals my other dog's food, so eats too much!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
thanks so much. sammy has been treated for stage 1 heartworm with the lab rescue vet.
i'm going to take her to our vet, right down the street, and get him to check her out.
not that i don't trust their vet, but i'll get her records and i have such a great vet, i want to make sure.
yep, i firmly believe randi had lyme. i know large dogs don't live all that long but she died at 12 1/2. vet said it was congestive heart failure but it came on so suddenly, and she was unable to stand, just fall over.
we had taken her to several parks around here and she got out in the weeds and all. so i'm pretty sure she had it, although he tested every year and she was on heartguard.
guess i'm paranoid where my baby is concerned.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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