My puppy "Jarramas" has got Borelia - will he make

Jake

Hi, I know this is not the way you are supposed to do it but I did it anyway - I bought him on a market here i Bangkok. All my life I have lived with dogs and attended dog fairs, my grandfather worked with "problem dogs", my uncle is president of the Swedish Kennel Club... so I ought to know better - but when I saw Jarramas he just stood out from all the other dogs. A 10 weeks old male Labrador. The very second I saw him I knew I could not leave him and that was probably the best thing that could happen for him too. 2 days after we bought him I went to the vet for a complete checkup. Everything was OK but the blood sample showed Borrelia and by the time we got that answer Jarramas had stopped eating and showed early signs of dehydration. We rushed him to the vet where is staying now. The first night was "touch-n-go" and Jarramas lost a lot of blood (bleeding from his bum). yesterday he was better but naturally very weak. The vet said he has to focus on stopping the bleeding before he can do anything about the Borrelia infection. From what I have read on other websites Borrelia is treated with Penicillin and antibiotics - I just wonder if there is any chance at all for his survival ? Anybody's guess is better than mine.
Thanks
/Jake

A picture of Jarramas
http://www.granit.se/jake/jakeshom.nsf/7d8d6dac1d91e0eac1256a7e00330543/93c8cc570ae582dcc1256f1a003f9963?O penDocument

Labdad · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 3:15 am Post subject:

From what you posted you did all that you could do: After you bought the pup you had him vetted, and have started treatment fairly quickly. I don't know anything about the disease, but will keep you and Jerramas in our prayers.

Hope matters improve.

bradleysmum · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:39 am Post subject:

Hi Jake,

Firstly, welcome to the site, i'm glad you found us.

I'm sorry to hear about the problem Jarramas has. It sounds like you and your vet are doing everything you possibly can for him.

Am i right in saying that Borrelia is Lyme disease?

I have just been reading up about it, as i haven't heard of many cases, i have been reading from this website:

http://www.dogstuff.info/lyme_disease_update.html

Also:

http://www.purebredlabs.co m/lyme_disease__what_is_lyme_disea.htm

From what i have been reading, the disease can be persistant even after antibiotic treatment. Has the vet given you any advice regarding the chances of a full recovery? How is Jarramas today? Has the vet managed to stop the bleeding?

I really feel for you, im sorry there's not alot i can say to help, perhaps others will be able to shed some light on the situation. I really do hope he's better today, please let us know how you get on today at the vets.

Thinking of you both,

Julie
Bradleysmum

bradleysmum · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:43 am Post subject:

Lovely photo btw Jake.

bradleysmum · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject:

Hi Jake,

How is Jarramas today?

Thinking of you both.

Bradleysmum

DoggyLover · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject:

i hope Jarramas is feeling better please pass on my best wishes to your self and the little puppy
Razz

Jake

*Phew* This was a tough journey for both of us. First of all - thank you for all your support and comments. It really makes a difference especially when you are as far away from home as I am. So, let me fill you in on what has happened.

Jarramas has spent a week and a half at the vet's place. When he came in he had lost a lot of weight and that very night he also lost a lot of blood, it just came dripping out from his behind.

We were worried that he would not make it but the vet turned out to be one of those few that really puts passion into his work. He checked on Jarramas several times the first few nights and concentrated on stopping the bleeding. The second problem was the Borrelia (yes, similar to Lyme disease and contracted from tics). Jarramas received 6 bags (!) of blood plasma during treatment and responded fine to all the treatment and came to a steady recovery. I left one of my used T-shirts with Jarramas and he would put head on it every time he went to sleep the vet reported. For me this is a classic trick to tell the dog "don't worry, I will be back" and sure enough he remembered me. I picked him up yesterday and that was a sight for sore eyes. He came rushing to me and he was so full of life and joy. He had gained weight and his coat is shiny again.

He's got a second name now - "Black Shadow" because he follows me everywhere. He is on medication now - 3 pills, 3 times per day. I have no idea what it is because the prescription is in Thai, but they seem to work and that's all I care about.

To stop the Borrelia he has been given antibiotics and according to the vet a couple of these shots will put an end to the infection. Nothing is for sure but we hope for the best.

Now Jarramas is with us again and on his way to a steady recovery and we are all very happy.

Thank you and all the best from Bangkok
/Jake

bradleysmum · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:50 am Post subject:

Hi Jake,

I've just logged on this morning, and to read your post has made me so happy!! Very Happy

I'm so pleased Jarramas is on the mend, it sounds like he, and you also, have both been through a really bad time of it all. It's great news to hear he is much better!! Big thanks to his vet hey, sounds like he has been looking after him well, it's lovely when you get a vet that treats them like one of their own animals, i'm so pleased he has been well taken care of.

The translation for his tablets, you might want to use the 'language' tool in google, and get it translated, just so you know exactly what he's taking, and the side effects if any. (That's just me, i'd personally like to know) What a second name also, Black Shadow. It certainly seems that Black Shadow is a fighter, and he's going to be your shadow alot more now he's home and getting better. Wink

I wish you all the very best, you deserve to be happy, and are commended for taking the very best care of your lab, it's also a pleasure to chat to another long distance lab dad as yourself, all the way in Bangkok!

Anyway, give Jarramas a huge hug for me, Dog

I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of him when you get time, that would be great.
Have a good day,

Bradleysmum

cheers

Jake · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:20 am Post subject: Jarramas on the Internet

Hello and thanks again for your support.
Living here in Thailand things are so very different from home and I have come to the acceptance that there are so many things I can not control. Before I was a bit of a manic always wanting to know about everything... sort of play it safe... but here, you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Have you ever seen a hand written perscription in Thai... I promise - it takes a whole lot more than google to interpret that. They use their own, and very pretty, alphabet. In time I will learn how to speak Thai... and some day I might even get to grips with the alphabet... 48 characters. But that day is yet to come Smile

Now we can enjoy our life as a complete family again.

I have some pictures of Jarramas on my website - please feel free to check it out. http://www.granit.se/jake

Jarramas says thanks for all the support - and now he looks at me because it is dinner time.

All the best from Bangkok
/Jake

bradleysmum · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:31 am Post subject:

[quote:45ede52436]Now we can enjoy our life as a complete family again.[/quote:45ede52436]

Hi Jake,

Totally understand about the prescription thing, i know what my doctors handwriting is like, and that's bad enough, even in my lanaguage! lol.

As long as Jarramas is ok, that's all that matters. Wink

Have a good day now,

Bradleysmum Smile