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LYMES DISEASE?

JAKE

jake is typically a happy, healthy beagle only taking med for hypothryoidism- dx about 2 years ago. doing great. about 1 week ago sudden loss of appetite, lethargy, will not climb steps, stiff gait. thryoid rechecked- vet indicated thyroid was ok at 5. complete bloodwork checked and was norm, urinalysis was norm. yesterday more labs done for possible tick bourne disease? since sunday taking doxycycline 100 mg, rimadyl .5 tab daily. how long does medication take to see improvements if this is lyme's? lab results should be back this friday. what are your thoughts on what is going on? it just "happened" because just a week ago he was healthy, happy and walking close to 3 miles per day with me. thanks for your thoughts. i'm worried. dawn- jake's mom los angeles ca

Symptoms: Lethargy, No Appetite & Anorexia, Pain, Lameness

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• Master Advisor Matthew says:

  January 30th, 2008 at 11:21 AM

  Hi there, Firstly, if it is Lyme Disease (the antibiody test is pending I imagine), then usually dogs will show improvement after just a few days on the antibiotics. However, the antibiotics must be given for a further 3 weeks to stop it coming back. Swollen joints are the most common symptom in Lyme disease. Even if the antibody test is positive though, this simply means that Jake has been exposed to Lyme disease at some point in his life. It doesn't prove definitively that this particular episode is due to Lyme disease. Nevertheless the treatment course should be followed.

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