Yesterday Karma went to the Olney-Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital for his annual check-up and to learn about his Lyme issue.
Dr. Joellen Gregory met us in reception and Karma was excited to see his “Aunt Joey.” We went on a quick tour of the impressive clinic that boasts its own lab, groomer, mini-store, multiple exam rooms, separate cat and dog kennels and an impressive collection of frozen sperm! The clinic hosts puppy classes and is situated on a beautiful wooded lot.
Karma is not a good or willing patient! He even growled when Dr. Gregory started to look at his teeth – please! We got through the ear check and managed to draw his blood without drawing any of ours! He drew the line at checking his temperature and we let it go. Dr. Gregory did say that he could stand to lose a few pounds – from a current weight of 93 to an even 90 pounds.
The great thing about having an on-site lab is the results come back in minutes. Karma is testing positive for the Lyme antibody after two years so he has to be on Doxycycline for 30 days. After that he will get his first Lyme vaccine and a booster to follow. Along with the Doxy, Karma will take FortiFlora, a probiotic to help keep the good bacteria present and ease any stomach discomfort caused by the antibiotic. Dr. Gregory tells me FortiFlora is also a good thing to have on hand for upset stomachs and diarrhea.
Karma also received his Bordetella vaccine because he is in contact with so many other dogs between classes and dog trials. And because we hike and camp, he received the Lepto vaccine to protect him from 4 of the 27 serovars of disease caused by the Spirochete Leptospira. This disease is carried in the urine of both domestic and wild animals easily encountered when hiking. He will need a booster of this one in 30 days when we go back for his Lyme vaccine.
We will go back in 30 days so stay tuned!
Who would have thought you need a masters degree in dog diseases?
Great article!!!.
[...] was reminded in this moment that most vaccines can only protect against a few strains of a particular disease, not all of them. Fortunately Karma is not showing any symptoms, and will [...]