Jnfr

Jake went to the vet today for his annual torture (his perspective). The vet was very pleased with his weight, health, etc (especially for a seasoned citizen).

Jake has never had any health issues other than one reaction a couple of years ago with stacking vaccinations (now I just split them up in different visits). Got his rabies shot today, we will go back next weekend for the Lepro.

However, when they did the heart worm test, it showed positive for Lyme. The vet said they see it at least once a week (if not more) in asymptomatic dogs.

I was given the option of (i) "ignore", (ii) treat with antibiotics for a month; or (iii) do additional testing (expensive blood tests). The same drug company that manufactures the original test also is the only company that does the secondary test. (kinda seems like a monopoly to me)

I opted for (ii) treat with antibiotics. Jake has always been super healthy, he has zero symptoms (doesn't even have age related problems like arthritis). His vet agreed and said if Jake was hers, she would do the same thing.

What I was wondering is does anyone here have any experience with Lyme? The vet told me that there are differing schools of thought with Lyme and how to treat it. That so much is unknown in both animals and humans until it is at a critical stage.

Anybody have any additional info on this? I don't want to put Jake thru unnecessary testing, but neither do I want to neglect his health.

Jnfr

murraysmom

A few years ago I had the bullseye rash typical of Lyme and so got tested- I tested positive. Because I was spending alot of time out on the state game lands with Murray I assumed I picked up a tick on one of our walks. I had him tested and he tested positive too.

We both took an antibiotics for a month. From what I understand Lyme is not as devasting in canines as it can be in humans.

One other comment: I got the tick bite in Pennsylvania in December- if you live in a state with a high incidnece of Lyme,like Pa., you probably should keep your dogs on tick protection year round.

bethrn

Wow bet that took you by surprise. No experience with the disease itself but my understanding is outcome is very good with treatment. Lyme's vaccine is one of those that Daisy had the reaction to. I did not followup for the second shot of the series because of her reaction and that if she did contract Lyme's, it was so treatable.

murraysmom

That's a good point- when we tested positive I did a lot of research and the information I found supports what you say about the Lymne vaccination- lots of problems with it. I don't think many vets reccommend it anymore.

houndmomma

Oh Jake, I’m soooo sorry you have Lyme disease. But if you take the medicine that you momma gives you every day I think you’ll start to feel a lot better. It helps Lucy and Little Rickie when their Lyme kicks up. They’ve had it for a few years now – I did the more extensive testing because they both get the extra Lyme protection shot every year because at our other house being so wooded there are more ticks. So ya know me – over protection momma.

Personally if you don’t give him the annual Lyme protection shot – and you he came back with a positive – I would trust the results that he has it. But… if like me he get the shot – I would have all the testing done because I know of cases that the first test they run have come back with a false positive. So it’s good to double check. Again, that’s only my personal option from having two dogs with it.

In the couple years they’ve had it between the two of them there has been only a couple times that its’ flared up – they took some meds – and were back to feeling like their old self again. I think you’ll find that it’s just something that’ll always be in the back of your mind because whenever they get sick – you’ll wonder if it’s the Lyme causing it.

Here’s a link with some good info in “English” without all the medical terms if ya know what I mean.
http://www.2ndchance.info/lyme.htm

Hope he’s feeling better soon and let me know how he takes to the meds. And give him a belly rub for me…

Jen~

__________________
Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog)
Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

Jnfr

I give both Jake and Abby the typical Flea and Tick meds, but as you know, a tick seems to make it in once in a while. I think I took one off him last spring and that is it. Hubby had more than the dogs! Jake seems to be suffering from zero effects, that is why I opted for the med without additional testing.

I started him on the antibiotic pills tonight. He is not "thrilled" but is taking them like a trooper.

Neither spend a big amount of time outdoors. And mostly just in the yard. I do the Lepro shot because we are in the country and know for sure we have deer (they eat the tomoto plants) plus I am sure other critters pass thru. But they aren't much of "outdoors" dogs... they prefer the couch!

And there is no lack of belly rubs, and ear rubs in this house... Jake and Abby have made it the "Law".

bethrn

Very good article houndmomma! Much better than anything I found when I was looking for answers regarding the vaccine. Thanks!

Yogi's Mom

Here is a link that has some very good information about Ticks and Tick Diseases. From the reading that I have done over the years, it seems that many vets do not treat it aggressively enough.
Also, I have read that many dogs have so many problems with the Lyme Shot that I personally would never give it to any of my dogs.
Hope this information helps.

Ticks and Tick Diseases - GermanShepherdHome.net

bethrn

Hindsight being 20/20, I wouldn't have agreed to give it to Daisy. I didn't know enough about the vaccine at the time. As we were checking her in the morning of her spay, the vet tech ran down a list of vaccines she had not yet received. Lymes was one. I wasn't even aware at the time that vaccine existed. The tech mentioned "do you travel out of state much?" We do camp a lot and even though use Frontline plus, I thought I was protecting her. Not only would I not agree to that particular vacccine, I think it was too much on a surgical day. I should have discussed it with our vet first.

Jnfr

thanks for all the helpful links!