santimookarjee Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 My border collie Carly (spayed female) is 4yrs old, 39lbs and has led an active and healthy life. I'd like to share what's been going on with her in the hopes that maybe someone has some insight from having known of a similar case. A month ago she began to suffer joint pain which I attributed to an awkward fall while jumping out of the car. However, since then she has presented most of the symptoms of the tick transmitted decease Ehlichiosis. But has tested negative twice. Her symptoms have included: - irregular lameness on different limbs and lower back - doesn't sit, has trouble getting up and laying down - fever - nose bleed (yes and it was horrible) -cough -depression/lethargic - loss of interest -loss of appetite Has been on antibiotics for two weeks and will continue for two more. Although there has been some improvement (no more nose bleeds), it has been up and down with regards to her joints, energy and spirit. She's been to three vets including one specializing in internal medicine and a chiropractor. My question is whether anyone has had or known a dog that has suffered from this and has gotten better? Should I expect her to get better after the recommended round of antibiotics? What about steroids? It is devastating to think that she won't make a full recovery. But I want to be realistic and would appreciate any feedback. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLW1 Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 What test did you do? A SNAP4 or did you send blood out for antibody testing? What antibiotic is she on and what dosage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santimookarjee Posted April 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thanks for the reply. Both the SNAP4 and the antibody tests were done a week apart by different vets. She's taking Doxycycline 125mg twice a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Can they give her something like Tramadol for pain management? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 She needs to be on Doxy for atleast 8 weeks. How was it determined to be a TBD. Check out tick-l. I *think* its 5mg per 10 pounds bid. I've had one with Erlichea but caught it within 3 days. He fully recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 It's actually 5 mg per pound. Here's a link to a very good page on tick diseases and treatment: https://sites.google.com/site/tickbornediseaseindogs/treatment Here's the tick links page. You can access Tick-L from there: http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ticklinks.htm J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santimookarjee Posted April 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thank you all for taking the time to reply. To jvw: She can't take any more meds besides the Doxy because her liver enzymes are high (probably due to the round of anti-inflammatories given at the onset). To Journey: Glad to hear yours fully recovered. That's what I want to hear! Unfortunately, in Carly's case, for the first two weeks it seemed like an injury and had tested negative to the SNAP4. Was put on pain meds, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories. Then when she had the nosebleed and the fever, we started the Doxycycline. Two more weeks to go. Yesterday she had a setback and started to limp, no energy. Today she seems a little better so I am, once again, hopeful. To Juliepoudrier: Thanks for the links! Also, great pictures everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLW1 Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Or her liver enzymes are high because there's something else going on. Just a thought. Did the vets do any other blood work? At 39 lbs I'd treat with 400mg doxy a day (200 am and pm) for 8 weeks. As Julie mentioned the tick-l list is a great resource. Join and post there and you will get good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 Just to add to what's already been said, many on the tick list (including vets) feel that most vets don't treat at a high enough dose or for long enough. They believe that the best hope of a cure is to hit it long and hard from the start. Even a dog who wasn't treated right away should be able to recover if given appropriate treatment. I haven't been on tick-l in a while (since I moved and my e-mail addy changed), but I do remember seeing a discussion fairly recently about whether it was actually doxy causing a rise in liver enzymes in dogs with TBDs or the infection with a TBD itself (this may have been referring just to Lyme; I don't remember). If you read the first link I posted, you will see that there are also alternatives to doxy, specifically I think Imizol can be used in dogs who can't tolerate doxy but who are positive for E. canis. One thing I have learned in all the years I was on tck-l is that you really have to do your homework, Although they are becoming more informed, many vets just aren't that experienced with treating TBDs and so you really do have to go out and get information and be an active advocate for your dog. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.