Ask the Vet About Lyme Disease

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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Showing 1 - 15 of 26
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01
DateMay 24, 2023
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
Topicnull
Question:

will cephalexin be ok for treatment

Answer:

Hey! Yes it seems that Cephalexin is okay to treat Lyme disease. I commonly use Doxycycline for 30 days. Please speak with you veterinarian to see what they want to use. Thank you, Dr. Lindsay Butzer

02
DateApr 26, 2023
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicFlare up
Question:

Having a Lyme disease Flare up what can i do for him

Answer:

Hey! Please go to your local veterinarian to have them do a physical exam and then prescribe medication such as doxycycline and possibly a steroid. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

03
DateMar 27, 2023
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicTreatment for lymes disease
Question:

Is there a shot that a vet can give a dog to cure lymes disease or is the 4 week course of pills the only option ?? My dog was diagnosed with lymes disease and she already has Cushing disease so her and I are expected for her to take 3 pills a day however she is refusing to eat any of them no matter what I try. My vets receptionist told me to shove the pills down her throat which I find traumatic for her and for me. I mean, come on. She’s sick and old and I am a mess worrying about her and I have to shove pills down her throat? There has to be a better, less traumatic and violent way. I refuse to do that to her because she is on borrowed time and I will not make her last months of life traumatic and stressful and me feeling guilty for doing it.

Answer:

Hey! I am so sorry to hear all this about your dog. Lyme disease can be treated using Doxycycline pills once a day for 30 days. However, some Lyme disease stays dormant and never goes away but the clinical signs of soar joints will go away with doxycycline. Cushings on top of all of this can shorten a dogs lifespan due to other circulatory issues. If you think your dog is suffering from old age plus her Cushings disease then you need to talk to your vet about quality of life. Quality of life can be determined if a dog stops eating, losing weight, cant walk, poops and pees on themselves. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

04
DateJan 30, 2023
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicTick
Question:

She had a tick on her and I pulled it off but there is still a red circle. Should I be worried? What are next steps?

Answer:

Hey! Please go see your local veterinarian and have them prescribe your dog Doxycycline for 30 days which is the treatment for Lyme disease to catch it early. Your vet may have other advice, so see what they say! I hope this helps. Dr. Lindsay Butzer ALSO keep your dog on flea and tick preventing!

05
DateJan 19, 2023
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMedicine for Lymes
Question:

What is the best antibiotic or medicine for Lyme disease for our dog ? Thanks

Answer:

Hey! Please see your veterinarian to get the correct antibiotic or medication for Lyme disease. The most commonly used one is Doxycyline but I cannot prescribe it here. You need a diagnosis and to go to Vetster.com to get a virtual vet apt to get it prescribed and sent to you through petmeds.com I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

06
DateDec 31, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicQuestion about Lyme disease
Question:

What are the noticeable symptoms of Lyme disease in a dog

Answer:

Hey! Being lethargic and limping are classic signs of Lyme disease in dogs. If you suspect they have it or have ticks around please take your dog to a local veterinarian. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

07
DateNov 6, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicNovyny
Question:

Novyny

Answer:

Your question didn't come through, but since you chose the category Lyme Disease, here is a direct link to our article about Lyme Disease: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/lyme-disease-in-dogs-cats-17.html

08
DateOct 20, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicLyme disease
Question:

Could I get medication for Lyme disease for dogs over the counter in a cvs ?

Answer:

No. The antibiotics that treat Lyme disease require a prescription from a veterinarian that has met and diagnosed your dog face-to-face. Here is a link to our article about Lyme disease treatment: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/lyme-disease-treatment-dog-cat-17.html

09
DateOct 4, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicLong Term Effects of Lyme Disease and ehrlichia
Question:

I am considering adopting a dog who was diagnosed with Lyme disease and ehrlichia. It was caught on routine bloodwork. Foster mom reports that the dog is a bit underweight but is showing no other signs of illness. She is eating and drinking and has good energy. How concerned should I be about long term effects of this?

Answer:

It's really impossible to say - some (most actually) dogs do fine and their immune systems clear it really well and they never have any issues, then others have chronic issues (joint, kidney, etc.) then there's everything/anything in between.

010
DateSep 25, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMedication
Question:

Can I get medication from you to treat my sons dog for lyme disease? He doesn't have a regular vet he takes her too and does all her vaccinations himself. I know she has lyme disease from when I took care of her and took her to the vet and they said she had it then 2 years ago. Now she sometimes can't walk on her hind legs and she limps when she walks.

Answer:

Legally, in veterinary medicine, a veterinarian that has met her face-to-face must approve a prescription.

011
DateJul 4, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
Topiccan a dog have chronic lyme disease
Question:

My lab who is 12 and has had a lyme disease takes doxycycline and gets better almost immediately and then about 10 days after stopping it comes back and he limps badly in front legs.Can it keep reoccuring in dogs even after treatment?

Answer:

Yes, it is possible, but not very common. Here is a link to a really good article about Lyme disease, written by another veterinarian, from a really good site that I trust: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952009

012
DateMay 26, 2022
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicLyme disease
Question:

Our dog is 14 and has had lyme since her first vet visit when we adopted her at 7 years old. She has flare ups, but during her last one she no longer tolerated doxycycline. She was vomiting and not eating. We had read about a holistic treatment with ledum palustre. Does this actually work and what dosage should you give a 15 pound dog? The company that makes it (boiron) only gives dosage info for humans. She's also been diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction and is on selegiline and galliprant for pain. I assume it's safe to add holistic treatments into the mix, right? Thanks for any info you can offer.

Answer:

I am not familiar enough with holistic medications to advise you on this. Try consulting a veterinarian that specializes in holistic medicine, often found at your local veterinary school or on websites like JustAnswer.com.

013
DateOct 7, 2021
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicLyme disease
Question:

I need medication for my 5 year old American pit Bull terrier . I found a tick on his back and removed it . Within a few days he started with a deep cough like a whooping cough unproductive as he brought nothing up. His weight is up and down and now has started vomiting

Answer:

Of all the symptoms Lyme disease causes, coughing and vomiting are not 2 of them so I would really recommend having your veterinarian check him out and rule out other causes (there are many possibilities). We treat Lyme disease with Doxycycline so that would require approval from a veterinarian that has met him face-to-face anyway.

014
DateJul 8, 2021
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet Typenull
Topicfound 2 ticks on top of scalp
Question:

my pom was 3 weeks late getting his dose of Simparica. I found two dead ticks embedded in scalp. removed with tweezers, washed with peroxide the put triple antibiotic gel on the bites that looked more like scrapes. he received simparica about 7 days ago. he was vaccinated 3 years ago for lyme, however a different vet said he was borderline lyme about 3 months ago. other than keeping the scrapes clean and ointment on them do you suggest a better treatment

Answer:

At this point, just keeping an eye on the bites and routine rechecks (if he was "borderline lyme" I assume they are going to recheck him) for Lyme, if that is a problem where you live.

015
DateSep 29, 2020
CategoryLyme Disease
Pet Typenull
TopicKidney issues
Question:

How can I tell if my dog has developed Lyme nephritis? She suddenly has vomited bile as well as frothy pink liquid speckled with blood. She also has diarrhea. She was treated for Lyme in January 2019 and in May tested negative for proteinuria, but she is presenting now with the vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. She appears nauseous and frequently smacks her lips as well.

Answer:

Have your veterinarian check her blood work - her kidney enzymes will be elevated if it is Lyme nephritis. The blood work will also help rule in or out other problems (liver disease, pancreatitis, etc.)

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