Is There A Lyme Disease Vaccine For Dogs Can All Dogs Take The Vaccine
There are 4 Lyme vaccines available in the United States for dogs. Lyme vaccination is considered a lifestyle vaccine, i.e. not all dogs need it, and the decision to vaccinate is an individual one and is not for all dogs.
The Lyme vaccine works by sterilizing the bacteria in the gut of the tick, preventing transmission of bacteria to the dog if they are ever exposed. Lyme vaccines appear to prevent illness in 60%86% dogs that are vaccinated, but not consistently in all dogs, and not for a very long duration of immunity.To ensure the vaccine provides optimum protection Dr. Wooten notes, your dog will receive two initial injections of the vaccine, two-four weeks apart, and then either annual or biannual boosters to maintain immunity.
While most dogs are tolerant of the Lyme disease vaccine, all dogs are different and may need another form of prevention. According to an article in Todays Veterinary Practice, Golden Retrievers should not receive the Lyme vaccine because of a genetic predisposition to develop Lyme nephritis, an inflammatory kidney disease. Fortunately, if proper tick prevention is utilized, vaccination should not be necessary. However, your veterinarian will help you determine the best form of Lyme disease prevention based on your dogs age, breed, size, any potential pre-existing conditions, and their overall health.
Herpes And Female Fertility
Herpes can impact female fertility only in an indirect way: a herpes infection may reduce your ability to get pregnant by making it more difficult to have unprotected sex. During an active herpes outbreak, having unprotected sex is not recommended, as the virus could spread. Fortunately, people with herpes can resume having unprotected sex after the outbreak has passed.
What Causes Failure To Copulate Or Ejaculate
There are many reasons why a male dog may have difficulty with breeding or ejaculation. Some of these reasons are behavioral, while others are due to physical or medical factors.
A common behavioral cause of infertility is the dynamic between the male and female if a male dog is introduced to a non-receptive or aggressive female, a refusal to breed is a normal result. Additionally, a male dog that is anxious due to his surroundings, is inexperienced, or is not sexually mature may also refuse to copulate with a receptive female. Attempting to promote breeding on a slippery floor may lead to apprehension, as the male feels less secure in his footing and may be reluctant to mount the female.
“…if a male dog is introduced to a non-receptive or aggressive female, a refusal to breed is a normal result.”
Physical conditions that cause discomfort in the spine or rear legs can result in a reluctance to copulate. These conditions may include spinal disease, arthritis, or trauma. Diseases of the penis may also result in painful copulation, causing reluctance.
A condition known as retrograde ejaculation may be responsible for an inability to ejaculate. In dogs with retrograde ejaculation, sperm enters the bladder with ejaculation instead of traveling to the tip of the penis. This makes the male physically incapable of ejaculating into the female.
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My Struggle With Lyme Disease
A July 2014 wedding on Long Beach Island, N.J., was the start of my nightmare.
It was a beautiful weekend filled with love for two of our dearest friends, who were, after 14 years together, finally legally able to marry. There was lobster and champagne and a crazy Gordon Gekko-style house on the beach. I sang a few songs, made a toast, and cried happy tears.
I woke up two days later, back home in New York City, with a crushing head and neck ache. It was weird but I figured I would sleep it off and be better in the morning. It took a few days, but I recovered.
That Saturday, I got out of the shower and saw a faint red circular rash on my shoulder with a bug bite in the middle. My knees buckled. I called for my husband, Andy. “HUNNEEEE! I have LYME!” He really didn’t think so. I banged on my neighbor’s door, still in my towel, “Rachel! Look! Lyme!” She told me, No way.
But I knew, and I walked to the ER.
The fresh-faced doc took a quick glance at my shoulder and said it looked like Lyme. She also said to be glad we caught it in time. I filled the twenty-one days of doxycycline she prescribed and fully believed I’d be ok.
I followed-up with an infectious disease specialist a few days later to be safe. He reassured me that I would have no complications since I caught the bite within a week. I was relieved.
My gut said, Hes wrong.
My radar was blaring.
Can Babies Be Born With Lyme Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if Lyme disease during pregnancy is left untreated, it can potentially lead to an infection of the placenta. And while it is rare, it is possible for the infection to spread from mother to fetus. There is currently no evidence or reports that suggest its possible to pass the disease through breast milk.
Remember, if you are pregnant and suspect you have been infected with Lyme disease through a tick bite, its important to speak with your health care provider.
You should get tested for Lyme disease if you have been bitten by a tick. You should especially take a Lyme disease test if the tick went undetected for over 24 hours, as there is a greater likelihood of contracting Lyme disease in these instances. If you notice Erythema migrans or other Lyme disease symptoms, ensure that you seek out testing immediately. Always bear the early symptoms in mind following significant periods spent in grassy or woodland areas.
LetsGetChecked provide an at-home Lyme Disease Test which tests the blood for antibodies that are associated with Lyme disease.
- You are presenting with symptoms of Lyme disease in the days following being bitten or having the tick removed
- You live in a place that is rich in vegetation or woodland
- You live in Northern America or Northern Europe
- You go camping or hiking on a regular basis, particularly during the Summer or Autumn
- You come into contact with larger woodland animals on a regular basis
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How Can Lyme Disease Affect Your Pregnancy
We dont know for sure about the effects of Lyme disease on pregnancy. Untreated Lyme may cause complications during pregnancy, including:
- An infection in the placenta. The placenta grows in your uterus and supplies your baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.
- Stillbirth. This is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Congenital heart defects. These are heart conditions that are present at birth. They can affect the hearts shape or how it works, or both.
- Urinary tract defects. The urinary tract is the system of organs that helps your body get rid of waste and extra fluids. Urinary tract defects can cause pain, urinary tract infections, kidney damage and kidney failure.
- Problems with your babys blood, like hyperbilirubinemia. This is when your babys blood has too much bilirubin in it. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that forms as red blood cells break down. Too much bilirubin can cause your baby to have jaundice. This is when your babys skin and the white parts of his eyes look yellow because his liver isn’t fully developed or isn’t working.
Untreated Lyme disease also may cause your baby to have a rash after hes born.
Can I Give My Dog Lyme Disease Or Vice Versa
You cant give your dog Lyme disease, nor can your dog infect you. However, if either one of you has a tick, you should both be checked out by a medical professional. Its entirely possible that the tick may have traveled from your body to your dogs, or vice versa, without you realizing it. If you have an open wound, there is alsoa slight chance that the bacteria from the tick can pass through it, so make sure to be extra vigilant to keep yourself safe in those cases.
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Is Autoimmunity Causing Your Infertility
by Dr. Kyle Warren | Nov 13, 2012 | Autoimmune Disease, Infertility, Thyroid
Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. This is my second post about infertility and we will be talking about how autoimmune diseases can cause it. This series is not meant to be an all exclusive list of things that can cause infertility. In fact, these may not even be the most common causes of infertility. However, these are absolutely some of the most commonly missed causes of it. If you start punching in things like natural fertility treatments into google it does not take you long to bring up articles about progesterone and natural herbs like Chasteberry or Don Quai or Shepherds Purse or Tribulus that can help with both male and female hormone imbalances. Looking at hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are extremely important if you are struggling with infertility. If you have not had anyone explore this avenue with you, then please first go down that road. Most of my patients have already been down the road of progesterone shots, or IVF, or other natural remedies aimed at progesterone or testosterone or estrogen.
Pregnancy test
For those struggling with infertility, this is an absolute must have investigative process to find the reason and get the right help. Click below to learn more about infertility from RHS!
What Happens After A Stillborn Baby Is Delivered
You will be able to hold your baby, and your healthcare providers will allow you as much time as you need to spend with your child. You may feel uncomfortable with this idea at first.
You may want to ask for any mementos and keepsakes of your child, such as a blanket, a lock of your childs hair, the hospital ID bracelet, etc. You can take pictures. This may also be uncomfortable, but it may be a cherished possession at a later time and may help you during your grieving process. Most hospitals will issue the family a birth certificate, but make sure you ask and request that it include the baby’s handprints and footprints.
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How Is Lyme Disease In Dogs Diagnosed
Your veterinarian will assess your dogs symptoms, give them a physical, and typically also do bloodwork to determine their diagnosis. Bloodwork is necessary to confirm a Lyme diagnosis because many symptoms of Lyme disease can be mistaken for any number of other conditions.
Lyme disease in dogs is diagnosed through a blood test, Dr. Margit Muller, veterinarian and , tells Pumpkin. She further explains, This test detects the presence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria strain that causes Lyme disease.
A combination of two blood tests is typically done: the C6 Test and the Quant C6 Test. The C6 Test detects antibodies, and is a preliminary blood test that can be run in most veterinary hospitals. If that test is positive, then a secondary test, the Quant C6 test, can be run to confirm infection and if treatment is needed. It takes a while for antibodies to show up in the blood after a dog is infected, so it is not recommended to test dogs earlier than four weeks after a tick bite.
Lyme Disease Affects Every State In The Us
Think because you live in the South youre safe from ticks? Think again. Although over 90% of Lyme cases occur in the Northern U.S., cases have been reported in all 50 of the United States. In fact, contracting Lyme disease in Southern regions can be even worse since the disease is far more likely to be misdiagnosed.
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How Do Dogs Get Lyme Disease
Like humans, dogs can contract Lyme disease from ticks, specifically the deer tick, which carry the bacteria that causes the disease. The American Kennel Club notes that the ticks most likely to carry Lyme disease are typically found in forests and woods , marshes, tall grass, and areas with thick brush. In terms of geographical locations, ticks carrying Lyme have been expanding their reach across the United States in recent years, but are most prevalent in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions.
Dr. Sarah Wooten, veterinarian and American Society of Veterinary Journalists member, tells Pumpkin, When your dog spends time in the woods, marshes, grass, or bushy areas without adequate tick protection on board, these monstrous little bugs can latch on and bite. Those bites can transmit bacteria into your dogs bloodstream that cause Lyme disease, and thats when we have a real problem.
Can Lyme Disease Be Cured
Most Lyme disease cases can be cured with a two- to four-week course of antibiotics, says Dr. Kaufman. This is especially true if youre treated in the early stages of infection, which is why its so important to be aware of any potential exposure and symptoms.
In rare cases, however, some patients will continue experiencing symptoms such as pain, fatigue and numbness, and will be diagnosed with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
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Overview
Lyme disease is an underreported, under-researched, and often debilitating disease transmitted by spirochete bacteria. The spiral-shaped bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, are transmitted by blacklegged deer ticks. Lymes wide range of symptoms mimic those of many other ailments, making it difficult to diagnose .
The blacklegged ticks can also transmit other disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These are known as coinfections . These ticks that transmit Lyme are increasing their geographical spread. As of 2016, they were found in about half the counties in 43 of 50 states in the United States .
Lyme is the fifth most reported of notifiable diseases in the United States, with an estimated 329,000 new cases found annually . Some studies estimate that there are as many as 1 million cases of Lyme in the United States every year .
Most people with Lyme who are treated right away with three weeks of antibiotics have a good prognosis.
But if youre not treated for weeks, months, or even years after infection, Lyme becomes more difficult to treat. Within days of the bite, the bacteria can move to your central nervous system, muscles and joints, eyes, and heart .
Here is a list of 13 common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.
What Causes Poor Semen Quality In Dogs
Poor semen quality can refer to low sperm counts, the complete absence of sperm in the semen, abnormal sperm motility , and abnormal sperm morphology . Decreased sperm number and quality will decrease the likelihood of successful conception, even with appropriate copulation and ejaculation. Possible causes of decreased semen quality include hormonal imbalances, certain medications, fever from systemic infection, and numerous diseases of the testicles.
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Treatments For Male And Female Partners:
Different treatments may be used depending upon whether the semen contains few sperm , no sperm , abnormally shaped sperm , and/or sperm with poor motility .
- Intrauterine insemination is the best treatment for issues relating to sperm motility or concentration. The most motile sperm are concentrated and inserted into the female partners uterus at the time of ovulation. Intrauterine insemination can be combined with or used without treatment for the female partner.
- In vitro fertilization is a commonly used technique for male tubal blockage and unexplained infertility. In an IVF cycle there are 2 methods of fertilizing the egg:
- Testicular extraction of sperm is used in situations in which the mans semen completely lacks sperm in the ejaculate. Sperm is removed directly from the testes either though a very small incision, or by using a needle to aspirate semen under local anesthesia. Sperm is not always found in this procedure, depending upon the cause of male infertility. If sperm is found and extracted, it is used for ICSI.
What Is A Stillbirth
A stillbirth is when a fetus dies after the mothers 20th week of pregnancy. The baby may have died in the uterus weeks or hours before labor. Rarely, the baby may die during labor. Although prenatal care has drastically improved over the years, the reality is stillbirths still happen and often go unexplained.
A stillbirth is classified as either an early stillbirth, a late stillbirth, or a term stillbirth. Those types are determined by the number of weeks of pregnancy:
- Early stillbirth: The fetus dies between 20 and 27 weeks.
- Late stillbirth: The fetus dies between 28 and 36 weeks.
- Term stillbirth: The fetus dies the 37th week or after.
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection And Infertility
Initially, in the 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus was found in the mononuclear cell fraction of the semen of one HIV-1-seropositive man and two men developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the early period of the epidemic, those individuals diagnosed as HIV positive were not estimated to live a long life. Since the HIV and AIDS were identified, in the management and long-term prognosis for infected people, vital advances have been made.
According to the WHO, about 75 million people have been infected with the HIV and more than 30 million humans have died of it. During the past 20 years, it has been extensively researched on the field of HIV infection, which invades the human immune system. In Sub-Saharan Africa remaining severely influenced, about 1 in 20 adults is infected by HIV and the number accounts for 71% of the infected people globally.
Besides the most studied genetic polymorphisms, major histocompatibility complex class I chainrelated A gene is a potential host genetic candidate for C. trachomatis infections. To study the effect of MICA on the susceptibility to C. trachomatis infection and its association with tubal pathology, researcher selected 214 infertile women and found that women with tubal infertility more often had antibodies to C. trachomatis . Results suggested that the MICA locus might modify host susceptibility to C. trachomatis infection.