My Guy Tested Positive for Lymes

H

HikerDog

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Brought my guy - 3.5yrs old - to the vet for his annual check up and for his heartworm/lymes test and it came back positive for Lyme's.

I admittedly forgot his flea and tick last month.

He doesn't have any symptoms and we've kept him up to date with the Lyme's vaccine since he was old enough to get it. But they want to do a urine analysis because they said that it could lead to severe kidney issues. I was assured that they believe there to be nothing wrong with him but its still so scary!

We live in the Northeast USA - lots of Lymes, lots of ticks, but we only ever take him out and about on sidewalks and through cut grass at most. I'm sure he's okay but I feel so bad and also its so nerve-wracking.

I'm not sure where I was going with this but I guess I just mostly feel really bad that I forgot about his topical and even with our diligence on the vaccine this could still happen.

Anyone else's puppers out there who've tested positive with no symptoms?
 
Yes, it's actually not unusual to have a positive test with no symptoms. Don't beat yourself up, even dogs who are on flea/tick meds regularly come down with it. And it doesn't matter where you walk them...those sneaky ticks are everywhere, even in short, manicured grass or dirt. They jump from trees and bushes. I'm in the Northeast too and most of my dogs have had Lyme at one time or another.

I would ask your vet about a giving a round of doxycyclene, the antibiotic used to treat Lyme, even though he's not symptomatic. The usual treatment is three weeks. Or, at least ask for a prescription to have on hand in the house so if you see any sign of lameness or lethargy you can start treating him. That's been my practice with my pups. Good luck and let us know how he does!
 
Yeah, we are going to drop off a urine sample tomorrow. They assured us it was just for cautions sake which I really appreciate.

I’ll definitely ask them about the antibiotics, that’s a great idea.

They also did say it could have happened at any point in the past year - since he tested negative last year. It’s probably just the vaccine doing it’s job! I’m so thankful we got it for him. I’ll keep you all updated thank you so much
 
Someone else's pup is also recently positive for Lyme and it did affect her kidneys - best to not assume all is well until you KNOW all is well. Sounds like even the vaccine doesn't prevent infection totally. I hope your guy will be fine. Also, check that what you are using for ticks is actually working. Here, Frontline quit working years ago and nobody I know uses it. Oral meds I think are more predictably effective.
 
Oh gosh, we are using Frontline. And we did have a couple stray ticks that we’d picked off him this spring despite its use. I figured, like everything, it likely wouldn’t be 100% (especially with all that fluff) But will definitely ask for a different oral medication when we drop his sample off today.

Otherwise, he’s showing absolutely no signs of any illness currently. Still jumping - all four paws off the floor and several feet into the air - for his dinner haha. I’m hoping the immune response means that the vaccine is doing it’s job. Our vet did clarify with me yesterday that it doesn’t mean he has Lymes it just means he was bitten with a tick that had it. But we definitely aren’t going to be taking any chances
 
Don't beat yourself up, but do treat your pupper as Ann recommended.

I am in CT, we use Frontline as well. Brodie ended up with Lyme's last year. He was limping, tested negative, I took him to a chiropractor and all was well there, he improved. Had him retested after his limping not only returned but got worse, he was positive. His urine was tested as well and I was nervous since we didn't catch it right away, but he was fine. I had it retested at his visit this year and all is good. I wasn't a fan of the Lyme's vaccine, but both boys get it now.
 
Thank you so much everyone! We went with Frontline because the vet said we could go a topical like that or a seresto collar. Since we have a cat and the two of them like to play bite each other’s necks a lot we had opted for the topical.

We dropped off his sample this morning and the vet said his kidneys look absolutely great. We weren’t sure about the Lymes vaccine but since we live in an area where it’s so prevalent we decided to go for it. Will definitely be keeping it up to date after this for sure!
 
I have used Heart guard and Nexguard on Teddy since he was a puppy. My Vet has suggested Simparica Trio. I have never used this before. Any suggestions or opinions?
 
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