- Joined
- Apr 5, 2015
- Messages
- 700
while working at a primary care physicians office, we would often have patients come in with tick bites. More often than not, I was able to identify just from experience whether or not the tick was a deer tick, the type that carries Lyme disease, or a dog tick. I worked with a PA Who owned 2 bassett hounds and was frequently having me call in or writing me prescriptions for antibiotic eye drops and otic drops that were anti fungal, anti inflammatory as well as antibiotic for their susceptible ears.. They are both interchangeable between human pathophysiology as well as canine. My dog received a tick bite 2 summers ago, actually closer to the fall, and since the tick was not engorged, I waited to see if he began to become symptomatic. one morning I awoke to find him standing perfectly fine but his two back legs were wavering back and forth and his feet, instead of being spread normally in a normal stance, were placed together and his entire back end was swaying back and forth. I became so very concerned and by the very next day it had affected him neurologically to the degree that he could no longer lap up water, having no control over His tongue or his ability to swallow. I immediately called the PA who had a medication book which indicated which medications such as Valium... As we all know... Worked on both canines as well as humans. At this point she had already been prescribing me prednisone for my back.. ;-) which I was actually giving to my cat for hot spots. I told the doctor on call that I myself had received the tick bite and had developed the bullseye rash which is the precursor to Lyme disease. By the time I had it filled at the pharmacy, my dog could no longer stand up and the poor boy was so ashamed at having accidents within the house because he was unable to walk up and down the stairs or stand up whatsoever. We were keeping him hydrated using a regular 20 ml syringe which I was able to get at work. its a one time prophylactic dose antibiotic doxicycline 1000 milligrams. I crushed it up with the mortar and pestle and placed it in the syringe with a small amount of warm milk. Once he had ingested the antibiotic, within one day and a half he was up and running like a puppy again. If anyone has any questions regarding compatibility of human medications vs Canine or even feline medical issues, feel free to ask me. There is a book available. I feel as though it is McGriffins or Griffin something. even the thyroid medication synthroid or the generic, levothyroxine, is the exact same that someone with a thyroid disorder would receive at their pharmacy. I just am so very thankful that I had the sense to lie through my teeth to my primary care physician in order to save the time and money running serology at the vet's office, when I already knew exactly what his condition was based on his symptoms. I've had too much experience in the medical field to feed them my hard earned cash unless of course the dog had received some sort of trauma related to a motor vehicle accident or otherwise. I would have absolutely no problem suturing my dog. I just thank God that he is still with me. When I am in a sad mood, he is the first one to put his entire weight up against me, despite my objections. he taught my female to stay within the perimeter of the yard, without me ever having to teach her not to leave the area. and when my daughter was a toddler, if they felt she was running too fast or getting too close to the end of the driveway, they would trip her or Corral her like sheep. There is a problem here with hunters using private land to hunt deer and moose, and my female is white, which some unexperienced hunter might mistake for the white flash of a deer tail and just fire off rounds upon. I'm going to try to find the name of that book on Google. the female I received from a woman who spotted my male during a yard sale. She asked if I would be interested in her and said that the dog was spayed. When she brought her to me for me to C her, the female was basically low crawling, rather than walking. the very last thing I had time on my plate for was rehabilitating another dog, but I couldn't send her home with that woman and her to abusive teenage sons. So, I gladly took her on. She was terrified And would not walk past a man's feet for nearly a year after owning her. I had to feed her underneath my kitchen table for 3 months before she became acclimated and felt comfortable around our family. I love my dogs and trust their instincts with regards to anyone who comes to my house. If they don't like someone, I become very hesitant around that person myself. I hope this has been helpful. If lyme disease is able to ProGrEss..most average Joes cannot afford the medication, or it has progressed beyond the point of no return and often results in euthanasia. I was very lucky.
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