lyme disease

[mhlaur]

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Hi. I got back a couple weeks ago from a trip down the US east coast. My dog (7y old male greyhound) picked up a few ticks down there. The 3rd one I just discovered yesterday on his neck. It wasn't huge, but likely was on him quite a few days. It was definitely a deer tick. The skin around the bite wound is very red and there's a dime sized hard lump. I'm concerned about lyme disease. He very likely picked up the tick in Connecticut where I stopped overnight at a friend's place surrounded by woods.

Is there any harm in treating him with doxycycline for a month if he doesn't have lyme? I'd rather be cautious. The cost is not relevant. Can't get to the vet for 2 more days since it's a holiday tomorrow.

 

[PrimalMU]

Treating with antibiotics without a diagnosis from a vet only helps create antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

 

[jpeterman13]

this thread is going to get locked because you are asking for medical advice, which is a no-no. but before it does, tomorrow is not a holiday fyi...a week from tomorrow is 😉.

 

[Highlsnds3]

Actually it probably is a holiday for mhlaur since he/she is in Nova Scotia. It's Victoria day in Canada😀

 

[StartingoverVet]

Not every tick has lyme disease. If it did, then there would be few people left (especially in connecticut). Don't overreact. Go to a vet when you can.

The thread should be locked, but I have to say before it does that self-dosing a dog without symptoms is a bad idea in most any case (and not even a good one if you just "think" she has symptoms).

 

[dyachei]

SDN is not for medical advice. Please consult with your veterinarian. Closing thread.