Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Because He Didn't Have Enough Health Problems Already

We did everything. In Montauk, we got Piney a tick collar and squirted him with Frontline and coated him in terrible-smelling neem oil and combed him twice a day with a metal comb. And somehow he still managed to get Lyme disease.

We got the results the other day. The doctor said it was a “low positive,” which they don’t necessarily treat, because sometimes the dog’s immune system fights it off successfully. BUT we all know about P’s wonky immune system. BUT the treatment—one month of doxycycline—might upset his stomach, and we all know about P’s barely functional stomach. BUT he’s been acting sick, so maybe we should give him the drugs? This back-and-forth is what my brain has been doing for 2 days.

5 comments:

strong cookie. said...

you have GOT to be kidding me.

piney just cannot catch a break!

Anonymous said...

hi-- if you think he has symptoms--you should treat him. Couldn't his daycare friend come to the house? Maybe you could pay her to dogsit a few times a week?

Ann said...

Oh my gosh! Poor Piney, he can't even go on vacation without something attacking his already fragile immune system. If you have to treat him that long with doxycycline you absolutely must put him on probiotics. His healthy intestinal flora will be overrun in the blink of an eye. He will need all the help you can provide while he is begin treated. One of my dogs has a sensitive tummy and I have him on it permanently. I think it is good for all dogs but especially those on antibiotics.

minnow said...

Bummer. One of my dogs just finished 30 days doxy for anaplasmosis (like Lyme); the good thing is that he'll feel better right away. Make sure to feed the yoghurt (probiotic) at least a couple hours after the pill to get the right benefits.

sara jane said...

Oh no! Really.. poor Piney, poor you.