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Post by deheresmint on Aug 25, 2011 15:01:41 GMT -5
test results came back with a high positive for Lyme.
We are treating with Doxy. Not sure Lyme is causing his symptoms, stiff, toe dragging, somewhat lethargic, but am hopeful the treatment will help. Vet says Doxy has antiinflammatory properties and will help the horse be more comfortable. Many vet, mine included, believe Lyme is over diagnosed and misdiagnosed. Curious what experiences people here have had with Lyme.
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Post by CC on Aug 26, 2011 13:45:43 GMT -5
Oh, we are treating 4 horses right now for Lyme. And a fifth had blood drawn but haven't heard the results yet.
Overdiagnosed: I think it depends on the area. All our horses were symptomatic and the symptoms varied from horse to horse. And actually, 4 of the 5 had been treated before but we realized the vet was underdosing on the doxy. I see alot of horses around here being treated after having symptoms. We are in an emdemic area for sure. I even had Lyme 2 years ago.
But I already see improvement in my 2 geldings who have been on doxy now for 3 and 4 weeks.
Oh, and some horses (mine will!) will eat the tablets whole. I just chuck them into the grain and the hoovers finish everything.
In my experience, lethargic, toe dragging and stiff are all Lyme symptoms. Vie, my 5 yr. old TB was so muscle tight, the vet could not even attempt a chiro adjustment on him!
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Aug 26, 2011 21:53:55 GMT -5
I lost my lovely Paso Fino to Lyme's back in the first wave to go through the NE in the mid-90s.  It was very hard to get him to eat ANY kind of meds and he hated the doxy. Got better for awhile, then got sick again. You should see improvement inside the first month of treatment, but don't be surprised if you have to continue meds for several. I've had a few friends who needed to do that, but their horses responded well are totally back to normal a year or more out. Good luck. Crappy luck, but it's good you have a diagnosis and something to do about it.  |
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Post by deheresmint on Aug 26, 2011 21:55:57 GMT -5
Thankyou for responding CC. We too live in an endemic area. I made up Tucker's baggies this evening for tomorrow's a.m. feeding. I'm going to try them whole and see how it goes.
He is also going to get shoes on the hind for added support. We are going to try a couple sets to see if it helps. He is very stiff and unwilling to come through. It takes 30 minutes or so to supple him enough to really start working him. He sounds like your Vie very muscle tight. I'm curious what kind of improvement specifically are you seeing in the two geldings?
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Post by CC on Aug 27, 2011 21:39:04 GMT -5
Our vet put Vie on a muscle relaxer for a week just to get his muscles to loosen up while the doxy takes effect. When she came to re-check him a wwk later, he was completely normal, muscle-tone wise. She said he did not need an adjustment even! And I just had hind shoes put on him also.
The problem with him is that he is really just beginning serious training under saddle at age 5 due to his leg injury. So I'm still getting green stuff and he is not the most forward TB in the world either. But he doesn't twist his head anymore and I'm not kicking with every stride to just get him to trot. And he is MUCH more willing to stretch into contact now.
Basil was tripping all over the place and had lost a ton of topline. Now he is 19 but we have been schooling some decent enough dressage to keep somewhat of a topline. Now, he has stopped tripping, seems more alert and has started gaining muscle back, albeit slowly.
I like to keep working them lightly as they are treated to help the muscles relax and also to gauge how they are doing.
Good luck! And keep us posted. I hate Lyme.
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Post by deheresmint on Aug 27, 2011 22:39:11 GMT -5
That's encouraging. Teach sorry to hear about your guy. He must have been an advanced case. We lost one at the barn recently, a huge Belgian. She had a tick borne disease, not Lyme. Her sickness came on quickly and she was dead within a week. Glad we had him tested and on treatment before things progressed. |
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Post by ZenRider on Aug 28, 2011 10:31:15 GMT -5
Jingles for Tucker.  (modifying for posting in a hurry duh moment) |
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Post by mes on Aug 28, 2011 13:05:54 GMT -5
That's encouraging. Teach sorry to hear about your guy. He must have been an advanced case.. A horse doesn't have to be an advanced case to lose them. Sorry to hear about Tucker. Lyme sucks. |
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Post by BoyleHeightsKid on Aug 30, 2011 5:22:56 GMT -5
Phooey  I'm glad you kept on it and now know what you're dealing with. Jingles for a full and uneventful recovery! |
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Post by Luci on Aug 30, 2011 15:17:31 GMT -5
Adding some jingles from me too!
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Post by Einstein on Sept 3, 2011 13:08:03 GMT -5
That stinks! Which vet did you end up using? I hope the doxy works well for him, most horses seem to eat it well mixed in with feed.
OT but are you boarding where your trainer is?
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Post by Inga on Sept 19, 2011 14:55:02 GMT -5
I had a mare that had Lyme's several years ago. One day she was fine the next she was very weak had knees the size of basketballs and could barely stand on her own. She was treated with anti-inflammatory/steroids. Unfortunately she foundered bad. I put heartbar shoes on, regulated diet and kept her in a small paddock outside. She recovered well and lived several more years without issue.
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It was very hard to get him to eat ANY kind of meds and he hated the doxy. Got better for awhile, then got sick again. 
I'm glad you kept on it and now know what you're dealing with. Jingles for a full and uneventful recovery!
