lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Zip, Vets are better at this than most human Drs..Sad state of affairs, isn't it? Pretty sure cats get lyme too. They get Bartonella..
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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KBear
Unregistered
posted
Hi Zip,
PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE VACCINE BEFORE YOU GIVE IT TO HIM!!
My dog was infected with lyme a few months ago. He started limping and I had him tested and sure enough he had lyme. He was treated and seems okay for now. The vet suggested giving him the vaccine and I questioned her if it would be safe since he already has lyme and she admitted she wasn't sure. She's just a real "country vet" and not very lyme literate. Well I did some research on my own, and I came across some horror stories from people that had given their dogs the vaccine! I decided it wasn't worth the risk to give it to him. I just use the top spot on him.
My vet also said the same thing about dogs getting over it faster than humans. My pooch was feeling (acting) better after a few doses of amoxy. Good luck to you and your pup! KB
posted
Please do some research about the Lyme vaccine before giving it to your dog. Because of my dog's Ehrlichia (he had it before I got it), I'm on an email list about dog tick diseases, and for the past year I've read numerous horror stories about the Lyme vaccine. In many dogs, it CAUSES Lyme! Most vets who are tick literate do not recommend this vaccine.
Posts: 106 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Doggiemom, Sorry if this seems like a dumb question.. But did you get lyme from your dog? I used to have two little bichons frise--they weren't ever outside very long, but even though I was diligent about checking them for ticks, I still occas. found an engorged tick or two. Some deer ticks/some dog ticks.
One developed a limp and was vomiting, but the vet didn't seem to recognize it as lyme. Struck me as being odd. Sometimes I wonder if we can "catch" lyme or co-infections after being exposed to their blood when removing the tick. (??)
Posts: 53 | From North Oaks, MN, USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
My dog doesn't have Lyme. I don't know yet if I have Lyme or not either. I'm waiting for my Western Blot results now. My dog and I both have Ehrlichia. However, we have different strains, so I did not get it from my dog. He has e.canis and I have e.chaffeensis.
I don't know if it's possible to get tick disease from contact with our dogs' blood or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is possible, considering there have been reports of getting tick diseases thru blood transfusions. I would think tho, if that were the case, we would have to have blood to blood contact, like thru an open sore or something like that.
I do believe we can get tick disease from ticks that are on the dog if we come in contact with the tick while trying to remove it.
Regarding your dog's limp, did the vet do a tick panel? This can be one of the symptoms. Lameness was one of my dog's symptoms, and the first one I noticed when he first got Ehrlichia last year. He was treated with Doxy for 2 months and his titers finally went back to negative.
This latest flareup that he's still in right now, his first symptom was a skin irritation in July, and the lameness came later. In fact, the vet didn't think the skin irritation was Ehrlichia at first. He thought I was nuts for insisting on a tick panel, but he did it just for my own peace of mind. When the results came in, showing an even higher titer than his first bout with it last year, the vet called me and said he felt like an idiot for doubting me.
posted
I would never give mine the vaccine either. Also what dosage are they giving your dog? The recommended dosage is 5mg/lb 2x daily.
I am not so sure most vets are any better than doctors which was definately our experience. One of our dogs has Bartonella Bartonella Hensalea and our vet refused to treat saying dogs do not get BH. We had to travel out of state for treatment.
After what we have been through I would always suggest having a full tick panel done at NC Vet lab or Prototek lab.
Our new vet just attended a seminar and they are now stressing to treat based on symptoms and not rely on test. Go figure...
To join the list doggiemom menioned do this... and they will send you a confirmation email which you answer then you can post and receive emails.
posted
I lost my dog to lyme. One month treatment was not enough. I think she might have been predisposed to Addision's disease and the lyme just made it worse. A catch 22 and a costly nightmare.
My girl friend's yellow lab has a horrible lameness, lots of arthritis. She was vaccinated in the past with the lyme vaccine.
It did not matter. The doctor sent the titer out which costs over $200.00 to see all bands. Turns out she has lyme anyway.
Treatment has helped some. I think dogs are like people. It effects everyone differently and some the same.
Personally, I still would not vaccinated for it.
It is very hard to find a vet that treats correctly. Heck-when you tell them you have babesia, they say "In this part of the country?" Has anyone tested their dogs for TBDs along with lyme? Try to convince a vet of that one.
We have a local vet that has diagnosed ehrlichoisis and RMSF, but none of the dogs made it. He now refers them to the universities.
posted
Barngirl, it's the same list bel1268 posted the info for, the TICK-L list. Great list and lots of good info there. Posts: 106 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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