Dog -Lymes disease..

[ArkRescue]

OK - note sure if this is STILL true but I was reading that the blood tests were developed with humans in mind and are can have false positives. It's just all so confusing when I starting reading up on this topic as the material goes from one area to another and then deeper still and I find myself feeling over-whelmed by so much information. They have have information about the skin testing too.

One site I saw said to try testing different protein sources first if the hair on the dog isn't an issue (patchy, balding etc).

Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy in Dogs

"Unfortunately, the RAST and ELISA tests have some inherent problems in their design. They were initially developed for humans and the circulating antibodies that they test for are different in dogs and cats than in people. The result is that there are a lot of false positives."

Blood test

 

[ICit]

OK - note sure if this is STILL true but I was reading that the blood tests were developed with humans in mind and are can have false positives. It's just all so confusing when I starting reading up on this topic as the material goes from one area to another and then deeper still and I find myself feeling over-whelmed by so much information. They have have information about the skin testing too.

One site I saw said to try testing different protein sources first if the hair on the dog isn't an issue (patchy, balding etc).

Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy in Dogs

"Unfortunately, the RAST and ELISA tests have some inherent problems in their design. They were initially developed for humans and the circulating antibodies that they test for are different in dogs and cats than in people. The result is that there are a lot of false positives."

for the blood test on the food side I used Home

I have known many people who have done both with blood.

 

[ArkRescue]

Thanks a lot - I'll call the vet to ask about this right now.

for the blood test on the food side I used Home

I have known many people who have done both with blood.

 

[star777]

I didn't know about that. The vet did warn me that the test may not show anything she was allergic to and when it came back with a lot of high numbers she was surprised. There were a few that she wasn't allergic to, like roaches, humans, dogs, feathers, etc... but the main things were different, trees, weeds, grasses, fungi and even moderately allergic to mosquitoes. From that they suggested the Atopica medicine or the allergy shots. I haven't done either, but when it gets bad I give her benedryl. I'm wondering if your dog is allergic to grass.

 

[ArkRescue]

Hmm apparently my vet's office said they don't do allergy testing and before I could say "who does?" the gal had already hung up - sheesh.

 

[ArkRescue]

I'm wondering the SAME thing about grass by how he licks and licks his feet when he comes in - he even does it when he gets on his elevated bed outside in the yard ......

I didn't know about that. The vet did warn me that the test may not show anything she was allergic to and when it came back with a lot of high numbers she was surprised. There were a few that she wasn't allergic to, like roaches, humans, dogs, feathers, etc... but the main things were different, trees, weeds, grasses, fungi and even moderately allergic to mosquitoes. From that they suggested the Atopica medicine or the allergy shots. I haven't done either, but when it gets bad I give her benedryl. I'm wondering if your dog is allergic to grass.

 

[star777]

I'm wondering the SAME thing about grass by how he licks and licks his feet when he comes in - he even does it when he gets on his elevated bed outside in the yard ......

Holly does the same thing! She will always lick and then she scratches her mouth. I think whatever she is licking off her paws is getting into and on her mouth making that itch

 

[ArkRescue]

My dog does that too (scratching mouth) ! We may be on to something here ...

Holly does the same thing! She will always lick and then she scratches her mouth. I think whatever she is licking off her paws is getting into and on her mouth making that itch

 

[star777]

My dog does that too (scratching mouth) ! We may be on to something here ...

Now we need a cure lol! I was going to try the allergy shots, but I don't like needles and don't think I would be able to poke her. I'm also not sure about injecting her with all that stuff, I'm sure it's bad for her. Thirdly, I've her mixed reviews, but a lot of people said that it really didn't help.

 

[ICit]

Now we need a cure lol! I was going to try the allergy shots, but I don't like needles and don't think I would be able to poke her. I'm also not sure about injecting her with all that stuff, I'm sure it's bad for her. Thirdly, I've her mixed reviews, but a lot of people said that it really didn't help.

First... the needles are really small and short! You would have been fine!
Second.... They help some.... but only if you start them at a young age (from what we have seen) My dog was on the border line of help... I think they did a great job .... but I will say... I only did them for a year. :badmommy:

Dogs over a year may not have good results.


Arc.... PM me again.. and I will help you out with the allergy testing.

 

[star777]

My dog will be 3 this August. When I got her they estimated her to be at 1.5 years old. Do you think the allergy shots would work at all for her?

First... the needles are really small and short! You would have been fine!
Second.... They help some.... but only if you start them at a young age (from what we have seen) My dog was on the border line of help... I think they did a great job .... but I will say... I only did them for a year. :badmommy:

Dogs over a year may not have good results.


Arc.... PM me again.. and I will help you out with the allergy testing.

 

[ICit]

My dog will be 3 this August. When I got her they estimated her to be at 1.5 years old. Do you think the allergy shots would work at all for her?

maybe... but you may look at long term...

 

[minpinlover]

Sorry, I'm late responding but this is the first I've been on for a while. Just to let you know, my male min pin ALWAYS gets the lyme vaccine, but he still got lymes disease!!!! So although he had a better chance of not getting it, it's just like the flu shots, there are different strands! The vaccinations are not a 100 percent, but they do protect your pups for a lot of the lyme strands out there. Unfortunately, Rocky got a strand of lyme that the vaccination didn't cover. He did the same thing. Was fine the night before and then in the middle of the night he got off the bed to get some water and couldn't move well on his back legs. He couldn't get back on the bed and we have pet stairs!!! He was diagnosed with lyme. After he started his treatment he was back to normal within a few days! They say they can have flair ups again, but so far, thank God he hasn't! My female never gets the lyme vaccine b/c the vaccine makes her REALLY sick. It's not worth it. But they both are treated monthly as well with preventatives (frontline). I hope your pup is feeling better and doing okay! (Oh, the vet still recommended Rocky to continue getting his yearly Lyme vaccination ... so we do. His sister still doesn't get it b/c it makes her too sick.)

 

[ICit]

Sorry, I'm late responding but this is the first I've been on for a while. Just to let you know, my male min pin ALWAYS gets the lyme vaccine, but he still got lymes disease!!!! So although he had a better chance of not getting it, it's just like the flu shots, there are different strands! The vaccinations are not a 100 percent, but they do protect your pups for a lot of the lyme strands out there. Unfortunately, Rocky got a strand of lyme that the vaccination didn't cover. He did the same thing. Was fine the night before and then in the middle of the night he got off the bed to get some water and couldn't move well on his back legs. He couldn't get back on the bed and we have pet stairs!!! He was diagnosed with lyme. After he started his treatment he was back to normal within a few days! They say they can have flair ups again, but so far, thank God he hasn't! My female never gets the lyme vaccine b/c the vaccine makes her REALLY sick. It's not worth it. But they both are treated monthly as well with preventatives (frontline). I hope your pup is feeling better and doing okay! (Oh, the vet still recommended Rocky to continue getting his yearly Lyme vaccination ... so we do. His sister still doesn't get it b/c it makes her too sick.)

any pup that test post. for Lyme should have this test done as well
Lyme Quant C6® Test
Lyme Disease - Pet and Animal Health Shaker Veterinary Hospital, P.C.

 

[ArkRescue]

OMG I just had a memory flashback to the day I picked up my boy from the shelter (how I forgot this???? - well life has been crazy) - they told me he had tested positive for Lyme but had no symptoms.

I took him to the vet the SAME day I picked him up from the shelter and told the vet and he said if he's showing no symptoms then it's not necessary to treat him.

So this means I do need to follow-up on this with another test I assume?

any pup that test post. for Lyme should have this test done as well
Lyme Quant C6® Test
Lyme Disease - Pet and Animal Health Shaker Veterinary Hospital, P.C.