5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
I picked an engorged tick off my dog recently and now he is acting really sick
Dazed looking, tail down and lathargic. He also has an ear infection that is almost cleared up now. But in the past he never acted this sick from it.
Taking him to the vet tommorow to have some lab work ( CBC) He says if the white blood cell count is up then he'll run test for LD.
Problem is he has stomach problems most of his life so doxy is out. In the past he has been able to stomach amoxy but not for a long course.
Does any one else's dog get sick from LD & what where the symptoms ?
Sorry I have been MIA lately but would greatly appreciate any feedback
Thanks a head of time
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hi Dana, I am so sorry to know about your furry friend! I do hope that you washed YOUR hands thoroughly after touching that tick?!?
If pooch is looking that sick that quickly, he may have something other than LD, or in addition to LD. PLEASE do NOT wait to treat depending on testing. It is as unreliable as those for humans.
Do you happen to know what kind of tick it was? That could help with getting reliable info to your vet.
If not, then please, please find a sympathetic vet who will treat ASAP. Yes, Doxy is the best first line defense because it will cover a multitude of diseases. But if pooch will not tolerate Doxy, you may want to ask for the Dorxy HYC (sp) that is easier on the tum.
Just be sure to give it with plenty of food before and after, and follow all the standard Doxy rules, OK?
Pill Pockets are amazing, and most critters will scarf them down as a treat w/out even realizing there is medicine inside. Follow this with food he really likes, to be sure it gets down the esophagus. Don't let him lay down for at least 30-45 mins afterwards.
Here is a lot more info for your reading pleasure. Keep us posted, and it is good to see you, but I am so sorry it is under these circumstances!
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Thanks so much Mel for all the great info on abx & the links !
i haven't been in very good shape lately & he is my bed buddy and am worried sick bout him.
Am taking him back to vet's tommorow. He can tolerate amoxy. Is this as good as doxy?
No, i didn't save the tick & my memory is so poor can't remember what kind it was. But it was fully engorged & did wash my hands & rub alcohol on his tick spot .
I hope you are doing better Mel, you are still in my prayers.
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I wish that didn't happen to your little doggie.
Two of my dogs have had Lyme and both of their symptoms varied greatly.
My Keeshond was a puppy about ten years ago when she became lethargic one day. The next day she was unable to walk. Her back legs would not hold her up. I took her to the vet, but he did not seem concerned and sent us home.
That night I knew something was terribly wrong and rushed her to the emergency clinic. They suspected Lyme and immediately started her on abx and gave her pain medicine.
She rebounded quickly. She did, however, develop a permanent limp in her front left leg. It is now arthritic in her old age.
My Aussie puppy was diagnosed with Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in April. She began limping in a weird way. It seemed that her front left leg was bothering her. She did not have any other noticeable symptoms.
I did not suspect Lyme at all because she did not behave like my other dog did when she was infected. The vet (a different and much better one than I previously went to) immediately suspected Lyme and sent her blood work to Idexx for testing.
Sure enough she had the horrible disease too. She was on heavy Doxy for 30 days and seems to have fully recovered.
I am sorry I don't know about amoxy, but I hope your vet will be able to help you. It seems in general they are becoming more Lyme-aware.
Best of luck to you and your furry baby.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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losferwrds
Unregistered
posted
Dogs immune systems are better equipted for lyme and cos.
My dog tested positive for antibodies, and has no problems.
A dog is a actually a vector, they a carry it, think about it, its passed on cogentially ,plus you load em with frontline, they pick up ticks and then they jump off the dog onto the family.
I love barky, but ya gotta be careful their tick magnets, we have had 3 tick bites that jumped from the dog to us since april.
Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Goodness Dana, I am so sorry to know that you are not doing well... really sorry.
I'm no expert on meds, but do know that Amoxy is used with many who can not use Doxy for one reason or another... especially in children, in pregnancy and with nursing moms.
Does it have the same ability to hit the other co-infections as Doxy does? I could not answer that question with 100% certainty. Perhaps your LLMD can provide some answers on that one.
My primary concern is that your pooch may be harboring a serious co-infection that Amoxy alone will not take care of.
There are many tick diseases that dogs can acquire, and several are very serious and need immediate attention and treatment.
I do not want to frighten you further, but just want to press this point with you so you are aware of the possibilities.
With all the research I have done on canines with TBDs, they very rarely ONLY harbor LD.
If I can provide more specific info to you and your vet, re: your location and possible infections, please feel free to email me privately.
I am extremely passionate about this particular subject from my own experience and from reading and hearing about way too many others. M
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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