LYME DISEASE

I HAVE A 9 YEAR OLD ROTTIE THAT WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH LYME DISEASE. I'MNOT SURE HOW LONG HE HAS HAD IT. IN APRIL HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HIP DYSPLACIA AND THE VET THINKS HE COULD HAVE HAD IT THEN. HE IS ON HIS 9TH DAY OF DOXYCYLINE. AT FIRST HE COULD WALK A LITTLE, BUT NOW HE CANNOT OR MAYBE DOESNT USE HIS RARE LEGS AT ALL. HE CANNOT WALK AT ALL. I SPOKE TO HIS VET YESTERDAY WHO SAID TO DOUBLE HIS RIMADYL FROM 50 TO 100MG TWICE A DAY. IS THIS NORMAL. WILL HE RECOVER THE STRENGTH TO WALK AGAIN? ANY INFO YOU COULD GIVE ME ON LYME DISEASE WOULD HELP. THANK YOU    

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The longer he has had Lyme disease the longer it will take to get rid of it, and even with treatment 15 to 25% of dogs can be chronically affected.  Most Rottie's  should be on a dose of 2 tablets of 100 mg Doxycycline 2 X per day for one month.  Lyme disease can excerbate the preexisting hip dysplasia.  It may take 2 weeks before you see obvious improvement.  Has your vet performed a urinalysis to make sure the Lyme disease has not affected your dogs kidney's?  Lastly, acupuncture or steroids may be necessary to help your dog get back on your feet.  Steroids cannot be used with NSAIDS like Rimadyl.