Lyme disease in dogs--complications
kms4me
15 years ago
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cindyxeus
15 years agoanita22
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Deer Flies and Lyme's Disease
Comments (23)The reason that the Lyme bacteria are only transmitted by ticks after prolonged feeding times (my most recent source says 36 hrs) is that they needs to change their cell surface proteins in order to become infectious. They reside in the tick's stomach. When the tick begins to feed, and ingests warm blood, it triggers a change in the bacteria and causes them to manufacture new proteins and swap them for some of the existing ones on their surfaces. This is a process that takes some time, and when they're ready, they migrate to the tick's salivary glands, from which they can be injected into their new victim. Without this protein change, they're not infectious, which is why, for instance, you can't get Lyme disease by eating an infected tick. I know that deer and horse flies feed on deer, and probably ingest Lyme-containing blood, but I'm not sure if they can transmit it effectively, because they feed so very briefly (ticks stay attached for several days). Don't forget--it's not always the tick you see that gives you Lyme disease, and the bullseye rash doesn't always appear at the bite site--it can develop elsewhere. As for white-footed mice, they are the definitive hosts for Lyme disease, and are fed upon by first stage ticks (larvae). Deer ticks can transmit the disease in both the nymph and adult stages, but more effectively by the latter. @IpmMan: The reason doctors use antibiotics prophylactically in cases of known or suspected tick exposure is because the Lyme bacteria can be eradicated from the body only in the first few weeks after exposure. After that, they hole up in the lymph nodes and become permanent residents and cause a variety of disease syndromes. In fact, the best time to treat Lyme disease is BEFORE the blood test is positive, in those early weeks. The disease is responsive to antibiotics at any stage, but can only be eradicated early on. Once it reaches the more chronic form, bacterial numbers can be decreased with treatment, but not wiped out. I hope this answers a few questions....See MoreDid you see this PBS show on Lyme Disease?
Comments (8)Oh, please don't feel bad! It makes me feel good to know someone "gets" it. The whole situation is such a mess. Yes, the Yale man expressed the academic viewpoint. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think he might be open to considering data that contradicts it. The consumer groups trying to educate the public sabotage themselves sometimes, I think. After hanging out on their message boards for some time I backed off because it's hard to know what to believe. They often blame everything on ticks. They may be right, but it sounds like lunacy at times. Also, they place a lot of importance on going to Lyme-literate doctors (LLMDs). Unfortunately, anyone can call himself--or herself--an LLMD. I discovered that the ones in my area (within 100 miles, none close) don't take insurance, and all charge big bucks. And I didn't see anyone posting about being cured. Post after post talked about switching meds, adding meds, trying a new med, going for IV meds, adding supplements, giving up certain foods, exercising, reacting to meds, feeling better, feeling worse, noticing no changes, etc. It was dizzying. My own doctor is a good guy. He admits he doesn't know much about tick-borne illness, but he reads what I give him and trusts my judgment. So I learn all I can (which is how I found myself talking to the Yale researcher), but there are no clear answers. I was on Doxycycline a total of 5 months. Doxy is the least risky of the recommended antibiotics. I'm sure I'll be on it again this spring or summer. It helps, but it's not a cure. The best book I read on the subject is Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic. The author, Pamela Weintraub, is an experienced medical journalist whose family was severely affected by Lyme and its co-infections. She goes on antibiotics periodically as symptoms return....See MoreNew Lyme Disease Info
Comments (3)Wow. I thought the link was going to take me to the article I discovered about an hour ago while playing with my son's new tablet. But that article was about another new disease spread by ticks in the northeast. (See below.) Ye gods. I was in touch with Dr. Peter Krause, mentioned in the Time article, last year, and he was very helpful to me. Maybe it's time to call him again. Thanks, Anne. Here is a link that might be useful: Encephalitis virus found in ticks...See MoreAnyone have experience with Lyme Disease?
Comments (6)Thanks, everyone, for your interesting responses. Lydia, that was a good, if dizzying, read. Because of my fibromyalgia and assorted other issues, IÂve been tested for Lyme numerous times over the years. Until I started reading up on Lyme this month, I assumed my negative tests meant I didnÂt have it. Now I realize itÂs just about impossible to be sure of anything related to this illness. Justgotabme, you never had any further symptoms of Lyme after that? Thank goodness for that. Vickey, how fortunate that you were able to find a doctor to prescribe the necessary antibiotics for the necessary length of time for your son, without a positive Lyme test. Yayagal, I would have guessed you live in New England. :-) My Connecticut cousin has had Lyme three times. She, too, recommended Doxicycline (or however itÂs spelled). She said she was prescribed Amoxicillin once, but didnÂt feel noticeably better until they switched it to Doxi. Were your ticks tested for Lyme? As I mentioned in an earlier thread, the only thing my tick was tested for was for type. I told the doctor it was a deer tick, but I guess he wanted official confirmation. I sure hope I donÂt end up paying for that test. IÂve since learned that our local state health department tests for type for free. Eandhl, I would suspect youÂre right. ItÂs hard to sort it all out. But this time I experienced several new symptoms that are specific to Lyme. So after I have the titer test on Monday, even if it comes back negative IÂm going to insist on a prescription for Doxicycline. Thanks again! Susan...See Morekms4me
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