Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Dr. Tobin,
Nice to see you're still here helping folks with questions! I'm wondering if prior use of borrellia burgdorferi nosode would skew the Lyme C6 Quant. My 10yr. old Shepherd was treated w/doxy for 28 days in Nov. 2008 after my chiro/vet suggested testing, the C6 was 280. After 6 months, the C6 retest (yesterday) is 240. She's been lame both in front and hind since last fall but I'm concerned that another round of doxy will drive the spirochetes further into her system. I'm thinking about treating with teasel (Herbalist Matt Wood) and Ledum 1M (your article).

Thanks!
Alicia

Since your dog has both an elevated C6 (indicating current infection) and symptoms of Lyme disease, I would suggest giving Ledum 1M 3 times a day for 3 days. This protocol works in both acute and chronic cases, whereas the doxycycline treatment does not seem to work in chronic cases. I have no experience in treating Lyme disease with Teasle. If the Ledum is working, you should see significant improvement within the 3 day treatment.

OK. I'll probably wait a week or so while she recovers from ovariohysterectomy after "suspected" pyometra. I'm wondering if you'd suggest another round of doxy in addition to Ledum at this point. She's been on cefpodoxime since 4/21 while they culture her urine. I'm still curious about your opinion of the possiblity of the lyme nosode affecting the blood test results.
Thanks!

The only blood test results likely to be affected are the WBC and the differential. I would suggest using the Ledum 1M for 3 days alone. If there is no improvement within that time, you will need to use something else, but if there is no improvement with the Ledum, I would recheck to see if it is in fact Lyme disease.

Thanks Dr. T.

If Ledum doesn't work, I'll call your office.