Lessons in Lyme from the MERCK VETERINARY MANUEL
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/generalized_conditions/lyme_borreliosis/overview_of_lyme_borreliosis.html
Just two interesting extracts, sadly our Health Authorities have not as yet come to comprehend.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, elimination of other diagnoses, laboratory data, epidemiologic considerations, and response to antibiotic therapy. Autoimmune panels, CBC, blood chemistry, radiographs, and other laboratory data are generally normal, except for results pertaining directly to the affected system (eg, soft-tissue swelling in limbs, neutrophil accumulation in synovial fluids of affected joints, uremia in renal disease).
Treatment
Antibiotic therapy is indicated in all cases with clinical signs attributed to Lyme borreliosis. Antimicrobials in the tetracycline (eg, doxycycline 10 mg/kg, PO, bid) and penicillin (eg, amoxicillin 20 mg/kg, PO, tid) groups are effective, and rapid response is seen in limb and joint disease in most cases, although incomplete or transient resolution of signs occurs in a significant number of affected animals. Doxycycline is preferred over penicillins, because mixed infections with other tick-borne pathogens are often found in animals with clinical signs. Clinical and research data indicate that low-level infection in animals, including people, may persist despite antibiotic therapy. In dogs, standard antibiotic doses and treatment for 4 wk have been demonstrated to be effective. If clinical signs recur, the antibiotics mentioned above can be used again, because persistent infection is not the result of acquired antibiotic resistance. Prolonged antibiotic therapy (>4 wk) may be beneficial for animals with continuing disease signs.
Symptomatic therapy directed toward the affected organ system and clinicopathologic abnormalities is also important, especially in renal disease. In limb and joint disease, the use of NSAIDs concurrent with antibiotic therapy may lead to confusion over the source of clinical improvement and make diagnosis based on therapeutic response difficult.
The Author - Reinhard K. Straubinger has published widely on Borrelia
From BAYER website on Companion and Vector born diseases
Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBD) are a growing global threat. Transmitted by blood-feeding ectoparasites like ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and sand flies, diseases such as Lyme borreliosis, babesiosis or leishmaniosis are known to veterinarians throughout the world and in some cases also have zoonotic consequences.
We still await the outcome of The Big Tick Project, conducted by Bristol University and the drug company MSD
but early reports showed a number of vets taking part
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