Axl tested positive for Lyme Disease

[Leslie & Axl Sacks]

Axl started limping & holding up his left paw the other night so we took him to the vet b/c we thought he twisted his paw during one of his romps around the backyard.  Xray came up clean but the bloodwork they also ran came back positive for Lyme Disease :-(  We had him vaccinated and my husband is diligent about applying the Frontline. How does this happen? He'll be on antibiotics for 30 days.  What happens after that? anybody else have this problem?  The internet is a scary place to read about symptoms and such...

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I don't have any info for you, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry to hear that Axl is sick.  I hope he starts feeling better soon.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about Axl. Unfortunately neither the vaccine nor Frontline is 100%.

[Jennifer]

Poor Axl :-(
My mom's dog got Lyme's a few years ago. I think he needed a second dose of antibiotics after finishing the first round but other than that he has had no complications and has been fine ever since.

It is scary to think that even with the vaccine and other protective measures, they can still catch it.

I hope Axl is feeling better soon.

[Moe]

My dog  was diagnosed with Lyme about three weeks ago. She got the Lyme vaccine and has been on Advantix since she was 12 weeks old. She is on the Doxycycline for 30 days. I put the pills in a slice of turkey. She was really listless for about two weeks after starting the meds. She finally seems her old self again. I'm sorry your doggy has to go through this.

[Judi and Daisy May]

Awe poor Axl..sending prayers and paw hugs from Daisy and I!!! Hope he feels better soon!!!

[BG and Gavin]

Sending good thoughts to you and Axl.  Hopefully you caught it quickly and the medication will fix him right up.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have no information, but wanted to say I am sorry about Axl. I try not to look up stuff like this on the Internet because there can be a lot of misinformation and scary stuff posted that only makes up feel worse. Take care. It sounds like Axl is getting the treatment he needs.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Lyme disease is very common in our area.  My Doods have not had it, although Murphy did have a different tick borne illness.  My DD's dog had a severe case of it, and I believe he went two rounds of the antibiotic.  He was vaccinated and used Frontline, but it didn't prevent it in this case either.  He acted fine after being on the meds for a few days, and he's had no lasting effects.  I had it a few years ago too, and I felt miserable until the antibiotics took effect....after that I had no problems.  Here's hoping Axl starts feeling better real soon.

[Leslie & Axl Sacks]

thanks for all your well wishes.  Axl's leg has miraculously healed-had to chase him around the living room to get my oven mitt back.  No side effects from the antobiotics but it's only been a day or so.....It's going to be a terrible tick season herre since it only snowed once.  Nothing like looking for ticks on a black dog....

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

It seems that it was a very good thing he hurt his leg enough for you to go to the vet in the first place.  It is weird how things work out.  Otherwise, he may have suffered much more with that before you knew he even had it!  I have no idea how your dog could get such a thing.  This is upsetting.  I'm glad he's getting treatment, though!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm so sorry about Axl and Lymes but it sounds like you caught it early and it should be treatable.  From what I have read about the vaccine, the effectiveness can be as low as 30% depending on the type used. Perhaps your vet can tell you more about the effectiveness of the one he/she uses.  Also, my understanding is that the tick has to bite your dog to get the pesticide from Frontline and be killed. So once the bite has happened your dog is at risk even though the tick will die. Apparently the best prevention is still manual removal of the ticks.  Although I did read this and am thinking this might be Tara's next little friend! :):

An unusual, organic approach to control of ticks and prevention of Lyme disease involves the use of domesticated guineafowl. Guineafowl are voracious consumers of insects and arachnids, and have a particular fondness for ticks. Localized use of domesticated guineafowl may reduce dependence on chemical pest-control methods.[102]

Axl-be well soon!!!!

[Rose Ann and Amante]

OK Ricki can you elaborated on this Guineafowl. I always love a more organic treatment vs. chemical. When I google guineafowl I get a music band!! LOL not sure that is what you mean. Unless there music is so bad that.......