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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Fever of Unknown Origin »
  Discussion on Reoccurring Lyme
Author Message
Member:
teddyj1

Posted on Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 - 12:20 pm:

Hi Dr. O, sorry for placing this post in the wrong place. I was really hoping to get your thoughts on a horse that has had "reoccurring" Lyme for the past 6 years. This is a 12 yr. Friesian mare, who has had titers as high as 40,000, and been treated with the gamut of antibiotics including IV Tetracycline for 30days(2.5 years ago). She is again presenting symptoms of relapse, and admittedly very minimal signs. Lack of energy in the ring, and difficulty picking up left lead canter and holding it. This mare is worked almost daily, and is quite fit.
This horse belongs to a very dear friend, and I was curios if there are other areas she and her Vet should be considering. She just had blood drawn for a Western Blot, and a Thyroid test, results are pending. Now I have read all of the info on this site and others regarding the conflicting findings of Lyme and Thyroid disease in horses , and was wondering what your thoughts might be.

Thanks so much
TOD
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 - 7:55 am:

Hello TOD,
We avoid doing second person consultations for several reasons. First is the problem with accurate and complete information provided by a second hand observer. Second is the limited time we have to devote to the discussions and that just answering member questions pretty much fills the schedule. Lastly non-members have not agreed to the conditions of membership which includes a statement describing responsibility.

But I would like to say that the symptoms you describe are very general in nature and not even clearly medical issues. So yes, all areas of the horses health should be considered with a complete exam and work up and further steps driven from those findings and not just the few problems you list.
DrO
Member:
ellab

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 - 10:29 am:

When my vet does Lyme titers the results come back in the hundreds. In general below 200 is neg. up to mid 200's is questionable and up near 300 is positive.

People on the site are talking about titers in the thousands. Is this a different method of testing than my vet uses to get numbers in the hundreds?


Ella B :-)
Member:
teddyj1

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 - 10:50 am:

Thanks Dr.O , I completely understand. I will certainly encourage my friend to read the articles on this site herself(Maybe she'll join?), and hopefully be encouraged to look into other areas, instead of being solely focused on Lyme.

TOD
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