Bella has Lymes Disease

I almost didn't want to post this because in light of what K9Karen is going through right now with Cody as it seems trivial by comparison. I felt I just wanted to warn Pet Talkers, though, about the need for using tick blocking agents such as Frontline.

Yesterday morning around 7:00 a.m. I let Bella and Ripley outside and about 10 minutes later I looked out the window and noticed Bella limping. I assumed that she had twisted her leg in romping with Ripley and watched her carefully until I left for work about 2 hours later. By the time I was leaving the house she appeared OK. She had a grooming appointment at 9:00 and I was heading into work after I dropped her off. Since she appeared OK around 9:00 I kept the appointment and headed on to work.

In the evening she appeared fine, although during the night she jumped off my bed and would not come back on. I didn't realize it was because she couldn't come back on. This morning she was again limping as I was getting ready for work and was hesitant about using the stairs. When I came home I called the vet and got an appointment right away. He did a Lyme test because 200 animals in his practice in the course of a year have gotten Lymes. Well, it came back positive. He did admit that, since she got the Lyme vaccine about 2 weeks ago, there is a 2% chance that it is reading positive due to the vaccine. He did, however, give her a complete exam and feels that from her gait and the sudden onset of symptoms and the fact that it improved somewhat and then got worse all signs were pointing to Lymes.

She is now on antibiotics and we will check back in with him on Friday. If she is no better he will change her antibiotic and she will remain on antibiotics for a month. He said there is a small chance that there she may have injured her leg running yesterday morning but felt he had to err on the side of caution and treat her for Lymes.

For now he tells me there is a good chance we can totally nip this thing totally with the antibiotics. I am writing this note to let you all know of the very real threat of Lymes. I had seen the Frontline commercials numerous times but had never seen a small deer tick on my girl, although I had taken a couple of the larger ones off her last fall (our property backs up to the woods). I am having quite a bit of guilt over this but am hoping that she will be just fine. Please, if you live in a wooded area, get the vaccine or at least use Frontline. I wish I had. I'll keep you posted. She is my sweetie and I hate to see her suffering for something that I could have prevented. :(

Poor, poor Bella. I am sorry you are sick. Please hurry and get better.

Not having dogs, I never really did much research about lyme disease. Is it curable? and what are the symptoms? (if you'd rather PM me than post it here, or if someone has info and would like to put it in another thread, that would be good. Thanks)

Best of luck with Bella (and never feel guilty that your problems are not as important as other people's problems. We care about ALL of the pets)

I sure hope that Bella nips this thing in the bud, and soon! I had never even thought about dogs getting Lyme disease, so please don't feel guilty over this. At least it was caught fast, and she is now being treated:) I really don't know a lot about lyme disease, but do know that you and Bella are in my prayers too, for a quick recovery!
**hugs**
Karen

Ah poor Bella,

Get better soon.
We are thinking of you and wish you
a speedy recovery.

Rocky, Sheba and Pepper

Oh dear! Poor, poor Bella! :( I hope you feel better soon!! I'll keep you in my thoughts. Nasty little ticks!

Lyme Disease is a big problem here in Wisconsin. I hope I never, or any of my pets, get it.

Lyme disease can effect people, too. Hope Bella's is over quickly, poor pretty girl!

Hey Bella ~

Cinder & Smoke wish you a Full & Speedy recovery!

Hey Pam ~ ("Dad" talkin)...

From you comments, excerpted below >

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Pam
"... He did a Lyme test because 200 animals in his practice in the course of a year have gotten Lymes.
... she got the Lyme vaccine about 2 weeks ago...

---

Is Lyme Disease Vaccine now *recommended* for dogs on the east coast??

I did some searching and found several articles that said Lyme was more of a problem along the east coast and New England states; and a few hints it was not a big problem in Ohio. Wonder if it's time to start worrying? I don't think the Dawgs got Lyme Vaccs in their multi-purpose shots last week - but I think I'll call Doc Mike and ask.

Did find an interesting web site - by a Texas Vet who argues *against* some vaccinations (Lyme being one of them). A lot of his web pages argue that we over-vaccinate our pets... See >
Critter Fixer web site (Lyme page)

Hope Bella makes a quick recovery!!

Pam,

Sorry to hear that Bella's not feeling well. Hope your quick
action and the antibiotics work to get her back to her old self
soon. Thanks for the FYI on this disease also. Do you know if
Lymes is more prevalent in certain parts of the country, or can
it be contracted most anywhere? Liz.

OOOPS, Just saw Phred's post & links. Better start reading up
on this disease. Thanks.

Oh Pam, such a nasty break for Bella. I think most animals recover from this problem if it is caught early. I wonder about the vaccine too and wonder if maybe it is a false reading .... I too would treat her for it, if I were you.

I know that Lyme disease is common here in Vermont - and deer are the usual carriers.

Please give Ms. Bella a special hug and kiss for me....and don't blame yourself, although I know you will.... I still blame myself for ...well, you know....the two losses I just had....

Anyway Pam and Bella, take care of yourselves ...and Bella, be quiet for Mama and be good...take all of your medicine too!

Love,
Auntie Sas

Poor Bella! I hope you will recover soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. {{{Hugs}}}

We live in a very wooded area, and have lots of woods in our backyard (fenced off though). Lady is vaccinated from it though. We are not allowed to go into the woods, although I would love to.

Feel better Bella!

Britt

Phred I couldn't get your page to come up but I will try again later. When we took Ripley in for his neutering the vet first spoke to us about the Lyme vaccine. He said he was sort of pushing it because of the marked increase in the number of his furry patients who had it. It is a two part vaccine, given three weeks apart. Ripley got his first shot after his neutering and then three weeks later we took him and Bella in. He got shot #2 and Bella got shot #1. The thing I forgot to ask the vet is should we bother giving her shot #2 since she already is positive for the disease. I'm afraid I wasn't thinking too clearly today but I will ask him on Friday when I check back in.

I would certainly ask your vet if Lyme is a problem in Ohio, and for other Pet Talkers please do check with your vets. Maybe if I had used Frontline last fall she wouldn't be having to deal with this. What a shame that the vaccine was administered a little too late. If you don't opt for the vaccine I would certainly use Frontline if you have spotted ticks on your pets before or if you live in or near woods. :(

I remember you posting about your earlier discussion with your vet about Lyme disease. Isn't it strange that having just had the vaccine, now she has come down with it? It really does seem like maybe the vaccine might have affected her. Regardless, I am glad you know and can do something about it.

Hug her gently for me. I sure do love that girll! :)

Oh, no! Not my favorite Poodle, Bella! I really hope that she recovers real quick! Pam, please give that sweet, beautiful Poodle girl a big hug for me! And Ripley, too!

Pam, thanks for posting this about lyme disease.
I certainly hope that Bella makes a quick recovery, I know that she will, she has such a wonderful mommy who took care of her right away:)
I don't believe my dogs are vaccinated for it, and my vet has never mentioned it to me. I use Revolution on them, but I'm not sure if that will help.
I'm going to call her tomorrow and double check.

Feel better soon sweet Bella!!!

Poor Bella! Hope you're feeling better soon!!!

I have just been looking into which flea/tick preventative I want to use this year. We have used Frontline inthe past and with what I have been reading, i think we will stick with it, even though it is alittle $$ then some others...it is one of the few that stays on through simming/baths and my girls love the water!!!

Oh poor little Bella. Get well quickly, sweetie. Thanks for bringing this up, Pam.

Hopefully this is simply a false positive due to the vaccination.
Take care sweet Bella and be a good girl for your Mommy and take your medicine! Keep us updated on how she's doing Pam.
I'm actually looking into the new medication K9 Advantix for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. We are now West Nile Territory here in North Texas, so we're taking all precautions this year!
I know you can't help but feel guilty about not using a tick preventative, but hindsight is 20/20, so don't beat yourself up over it.

Pam thank goodness you brought her in, it sounds like your Vet is on the side of caution and that's very good, can't have our beautiful white princess sick that's for sure. Please give her hugs from us and to Ripley too the little cutie pie.
Jackie, Perry and Miss Daisy

Oh Pam. I do hope Bella gets to feeling better, But also even if she had been on frontline doesnt mean she wouldn't get it. Frontline is a preventive. I keep frontline on my dogs all year long once a month. They still get ticks on them. I live in a heavy flea and tick area. Lots of deer in my yard all the time. I also use frontline spray on the horses. My boss and his son both have had lymes disease also. So dont be to hard on yourself.(which I know is easier said than do) With all the well wishes here and prayers she will be fine. Keep her all comfpy. all the gang here says get well soon.

We are totally taken aback with this news. I really want to believe it is the vacinnation and a pulled muscle! On the other hand, the vet, had he not had all this experience with Lyme disease could easily have overlooked the possibility and should it be that, things could have gotten so much worse. (I don't know if what I said was that clear. I hope it is not Lyme's but if it is I am so glad it was caught in time.)

Is the assumption that the ticks are out already even though winter is barely over? That this is a *this year's bite*? You would think that all that snow would somehow get rid of those bloody bastards!:mad:

Dear sweet Bella. Hannah knows princesses do not like to be sick or in any way incapacitated. She suggests your Mommy bring you servings of only the most delectable treats and give you gentle massages. Please get well and feel better fast.

Bella is not putting any weight on that leg at all this morning. It is so hard to see Ripley racing through the yard and Bella sitting on the sidelines. Their early morning romps are so routine and I know she is wishing to join in. She came back upstairs this morning after going potty outside. Going up anything (stairs, onto a bed) is harder than going down but she seemed determined to do it. I lifted her up onto the bed, where she seemed she was wanting to go, and I put her food bowl on the bed. She ate laying down. I somehow got the impression that she could get used to this lifestyle. ;) Oh my, I can't wait for these pills to kick in and make my sweetie return to her normal self.

You know, it is so darn difficult to see an animal having discomfort. I suppose it is much like a young child, unable to let you know what is really going on in their little minds. It is not like they are able to say, "Hey, Mom I'm feeling a bit under the weather - can you call the Dr. to see if he can fit me in"..... but instead you find out when they can't walk or vomit up every speck of food you just gave them... etc. etc. I don't know that we can every really keep our eyes and ears open enough to predict the problems that sneak up on us/them. Bladder infections in animals are my favorite. They can be horrible for the pet and yet you don't really know it is happening until it is raging through their bodies!

Let's try to teach our pets to "sign"..... and let us know what is going on in their bodies.

It would be so much easier on Pam, if Bella would say "hey, Mom, I did injure myself while playing with the Ripples dog and I don't have Lyme disease like the doc thinks...." I wonder what sign we could translate that to be?

SAS

Hugs to Bella and Pam

Poor sweet Bella, I hope she recovers quickly! :(

I believe I knew they had a vaccine for Lymes Disease, but I have no idea if it's offered here. I know the Giardia one is. Maybe I should look into it. I've never used the flea/tick preventative as well, we don't have fleas here.....but maybe I should use it...but just for ticks? We do have ticks, and we do go camping very often.

Poor Bella :( Pam, sending prayers and positive thoughts that the beautiful sweetie gets better real soon. Please give her a hug from me.

Chris

Feel better soon, sweetie. Hmmmm, food bowl on the bed......don't tell Shiloh........

Praying that Bella gets better real quick!

*Hugs*

Poor Miss Bella girl :( I do hope that it's a "false alarm", but so glad that you caught it when you did, as I have heard Lymes can be pretty icky.

Get better, you beautiful girl.

Pam, let us know how she's doing. Hopefully she's getting better by the day :(

Oh Dear Pam, I wish you have told me this morning on the phone! In light of what Cody is going through,sweet Bella's Lyme disease is no less important! I'm so glad you took her right to the vet. What a good mom for noticing! You know I love you all dearly, and I swear to you that I am also praying for Bella that she recovers in no time!

As I told you in my email, Pam, my Jingles was diagnosed with Lymes at age 11, even though she never missed one dose of Frontline and always received her yearly Lymes vaccine. Perhaps it was a strain, not Lymes. There is a possiblity of a false positive. If it is Lymes though, dogs respond so well to a course of antibiotics; that usually does the trick. We're sending beautiful Bella all our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. She couldn't be in more loving, caring hands...that's for sure. Love, Sandra, Star and Cody

Star demands you get better dear Bellla!! And you know she will not be denied!;)

Sandra I didn't realize that Jingles had Lyme disease. :( Your note is helping me a little in regard to the guilt I have been feeling. It sounds like nothing is foolproof. I am still wondering if it isn't a combination of Lyme and a sprain/strain. I am supposed report in with the vet tomorrow, and he said I should be noticing a big improvement. Actually she is much worse. She has put no weight on that leg at all today and won't do steps pr furniture at all. She goes down steps but simply can't come up. My hubby and I have been carrying her. I just can't wait to talk to the vet again tomorrow and maybe have him look at her again. I had to go out for several hours today and before I left I took a picture of Bella and her new little brudder, Ripley, as they laid in the warm sun streaming into the kitchen. She laid there for ages and he was with her a good bit of the time.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6/fc6f6f27.jpg
I took this when I got home. She is still not walking on it. :(
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...1/fc6f6f1a.jpg

What a beautiful picture of Bella and Ripley!!
I am so sorry to hear that she is not feeling better yet, we're still gonna pray for her here--get better sweet girl!!!
Let us know when you have any news.

What a GORGEOUS pic of Bella and Ripley!! I love it! :D

Poor girl, that other pic makes me so sad. :( I know you probably said this earlier...but how exactly would Lymes Disease cause her to limp like that? Sorry, I don't know much about it.

I only saw this post now ........... hope all is OK. :)

How is she doing today?

There is no improvement at all today. In fact she is worse. I am upset because he said I should see considerable improvement by Friday (today). Either this means she needs a new antibiotic or there is also a sprain involved. I am having to carry her upstairs and lift her off furniture. No toys are being played with and I think that's what's killing me most of all. She picks a spot and lays down and just looks at me with those big eyes. :( I will be on the phone with the vet as soon as they open! Thank you, everyone, for your concern.

Best of luck with Bella. I am sorry to hear that she is not getting better yet. Keep us posted. Yoday will be hard to get through, not knowing until I get home from work.

I just read this now...how sad!! :( I hope that sweet Bella is feeling better soon in no time, and the vet can give some answers. We'll be thinking & praying for you! Give Bella & Ripley an extra cookie from us!

~~Anna & Malone

p.s. I love the picture of the two of them in the sunshine...so sweet!!!

Pam,
We'll be thinking of you and Bella this morning. I hope you get the answers you need. I'm sure he can give Bella something, even if it is just buffered aspirin to help with her pain and inflammation. Let us know!!
The picture is priceless!!! :D
Logan

:( After reading everyone's posts, I was hoping Bella would be doing much better this morning, I'm sorry to hear she's not.
I'll be waiting on pins & needles to hear what the vet has to say.
Feel better soon sweet Bella {{{Hugs}}} from all of us.

Poor little Bella. I was hoping for improvement. Hope the vet can give her something to help. Good luck. Please update!!

Hope she is being a good girl and enjoying being treated like a Queen!

Keep us posted Pam!

Sas