pet’s breed: Dachsund
pet’s age: six
pet’s sex: Female
previous treatment:

Treatment for bad discs in back in the past but better for the most part now.

QUESTION:

My Ex-Wife’s Dachshund has recently started screaming when she is picked up. She is keeping her front legs drawn up when laying down, her head is very hot to the touch, she is suddenly drooling and has no energy at times. she was walking backward the other day too, like she was just out of it. One vet thinks maybe Lyme disease and has given her predisone. She does not have swollen lymph nodes either. No ticks have been found on her at all, but ticks have been seen in the car. I told her to seek advice from another vet in her area, which she will do. Any other help will be wonderful.
Thanks,

ANSWER

Hello,

On one hand, it is surprising to hear that a vet made a possible diagnosis of Lyme disease in the absence of any obvious lameness nor lymphadenopathy. Even more surprising is the treatment which does not include antibiotics. I do not believe any of my colleagues would ignore that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections (Borrelia is the bacteria causing Lyme disease). Therefore, I suspect a communication issue with your veterinarian.

On the other hand, prednisone (corticosteroids) could be the medical treatment of choice for intervertebral disc disease. In view of the past history of such disease and the clinical signs, this would be high on my list of possibilities and may be high on my colleague’s list too.

My recommendations would therefore be:
- if you are quite sure that your vet diagnosed lyme disease and did not prescribe any antibiotics, then seek a second opinion
- if there is a possibility of mis-understanding, it is worth contacting your vet and getting some additional explanations

I hope your dog gets better very soon.

Best wishes,

Julien

www.vetstoria.com