Diseases - IlCat.org

Leona Said:

How long should you wait between treatments for lyme disease and heartworm?

We Answered:

Hmm. Who told you they can't be done at once? I'm not sure that's true, but I may have found another reason for the delay.

Lyme disease is usually treated with the antibiotic doxycyline. Heartworms are treated with an injection, but there has been evidence that running a course of doxycyline prior to the injection MAY help kill more worms.

If that's not the issue, then maybe the Lyme disease is so advanced that they are worried the shock to her system would be too great. Her body is busy killing and processing the Lyme bacteria now, and although Heartworm treatment only takes two days at the vet, it takes at least a month for the dog to fully recover, and they must be kept calm, with no exercise during that period, otherwise the dead and dying worms can clog their blood vessels and kill them.

She can probably have the Heartworm treatment the day after she takes her last antibiotic. You should probably ask your vet to be sure.

Herman Said:

What is the causative organism of Lyme's disease and does it effect heart?

We Answered:

The cause of Lyme disease is a bacterial infection with a spirochete from the species complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which is most often acquired from the bite of an infected Ixodes tick.

The cardiac features of Lyme disease usually occur within weeks to months of the infecting tick bite; the result may be disruption of the conduction system, leading to heart block and muscle dysfunction, causing a mild myopericarditis. Lyme carditis is usually mild, although permanent heart block and a few fatalities claimed to be due to Lyme carditis have been reported, the latter usually with poor documentation. In general, Lyme carditis is treatable and curable with antibiotic regimens in current use. Recent reports have suggested that Lyme disease may be a cause of chronic congestive cardiomyopathy.

Deanna Said:

What do you know about lyme disease?

We Answered:

Lyme disease is an infection that derives from a tick bite. The disease has a variety of symptoms, including changes affecting the skin, heart, joints and nervous system. It is also known as borrelia or borreliosis.

Rachel Said:

Lyme disease?

We Answered:

Good sources of info about Lyme disease:
http://www.canlyme.com
http://www.lymenet.org
http://www.lymeinfo.net
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org
http://www.ilads.org
http://www.betterhealthguy.com
http://www.publichealthalert.com
http://www.freewebs.com/teenswithlyme
http://www.lymetimes.org

Maureen Said:

Can Lyme Disease cause heart problems?

We Answered:

To answer your question... absolutely.
In fact this is one of the more serious issues that all doctors look into once you are determined to have- or likely have- an active Lyme infection. The most serious is inflammation around the heart which can lead to "heart block", essentially a cardiac arrest.
That said, Lyme is highly treatable & I wouldn't be surprised that MOST of your issues are related to- if not a direct result of -BB (borrelia burgderfori) spirochete dissemination throughout the body.
Once on antibiotics, you WILL get worse before you get better, but better you will get...in monthly waves, w/ ups & downs along the way.
Now...any serious symptomology that you experience, esp anything that continues for days, never mind weeks...never mind MONTHS(!),
m-u-s-t be brought to the attention of your doc... so that he can properly diagnose & TREAT you!!
Being "scared" of what a physician might tell you is no excuse to suffer needlessly.
And, yes, electric-like sensations are also commonly part of the Lyme story. That Will resolve along with your general recovery.
I'm not sure how old you are, but Some of the skeletal degeneration might likely be permanent. But once your own immune system is more in charge, many issues will reverse. Best of Luck!