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Gibbs, Lyme bug, and possible side effects


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Gibbs was born in CT, which has a high incidence of Lyme disease. After he and the other pups were weaned and sent off to new homes, the mom became ill and tested positive for Lyme. The new owners of the pups were told and when I took Gibbs at about 2 and a half yrs old, I was told that he is Lyme+.  He's had no overt symptoms. 

EXCEPT ~ he has had a litany of skeletal issues ~ his neck, back, knees, and front legs have all sent him to the vet in pain. Every time it was diagnosed as a soft tissue injury, given pain and anti-inflammatory meds and orders to take it easy. 

G is the 5th dog I've had. None of the others have had anything like this number of problems, all having to do with his bones and joints. None of my dog-owning friends have had joint/bone issues to this extent either. I've also never had to have a dog's teeth removed. Last year he had 4 teeth removed. He's got another round of dental extractions to get through in about 5 weeks. 

I've brought this up with my vet and he said no. I've done some quick research and find that the Lyme bug can pass to puppies in utero, and he does test positive for it. Nothing about the affect of the bug on the gestating pups, except that it can kill pups in utero. Other than that, nada.

What do you guys think?

Ruth & Gibbs

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I haven't given him Doxy, I'd be surprised if I could make a case for it with any of my veterinarians. I have no idea where the other pups went. Gibbs, (he was Pete when I got him) went to a big hat in TX, (Amy Coapman might remember his name) at 6  or 7 weeks. He was then sold on as a started dog to Amy, can't remember how old he was when Amy got him, several months at least. I got him at around 2.5 because he wasn't showing much drive for working sheep. He makes a dang good pet, though!

Amy gave me all this info when I got him, but it's gone from the memory banks now! Gibbs has been with me for at least 9 years, maybe 10.

R & G

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Spoke with my vet about doxy for Gibbs, he reviewed G's records and we'd already tried it several years ago. No change.

At this point I doubt there's anything that anyone can do about these issues except treat appropriately as they appear. And I sympathize with him. I've had several injuries to my right foot/ankle and I've got arthritis in several of those tiny little joints from the injuries. I wear a short brace that helps a lot. Still, if I step wrong or I'm on feet for a long time, it's painful. Perhaps G and I were meant to be together!

R & G

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You probably already said so previously, but I've forgotten - do you have Gibbs on Duralactin?  I think it's made a great difference for Roy, who has a chronic shoulder issue (probably arthritis) combined with Cetyl-M and glucosamine-chondroitin.

Good luck and skritches for Gibbs!

Amy

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For general joint health:  I had a rehab vet once tell me to alternate Platinum Performance CJ and Cosequin DS about every six months.  I did that with my male dog, starting when he was about 8.  (He'd gotten DS before that, due to hip dysplasia which, until he passed at 14 from fu*king cancer, showed NO symptoms ever.)  I did this for a few years, ran out of DS once, and kept him on CJ the rest of his life.  He just did better on it.  So, it may take some experimenting to find what works best for your dog.

Best of luck!

diane

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