RE: RE: Lyme Disease

["C Eyler" <eyler@mindspring.com>]

I'd appreciate some follow-up info re Lyme -- or, rather, the need for
follow-up.

Lyme Disease is endemic in this area (Maryland), and deer ticks seem to love
my gelding.  TriTech fly spray helps, but I still take ticks off him.  And
he reacts strongly to the bites, with large, pus-filled swellings that take
a long time to fully resolve.

I had him tested for Lyme last November because he was very slow to get over
soreness following the blow-out of a monster abscess -- even minimal work in
the ring left him short-striding the next day.  And several other horses at
the same small boarding farm had been diagnosed and treated for Lyme.

The first series of tests, including the Western blot, came back from
Cornell with the verdict of "Negative, with reservations.  Recommend
retesting."  Blood was drawn again in early December.  (By this time the
soreness has disappeared, but I wanted to know whether or not he had Lyme.)
The second test came back just barely positive, though I don't know the
actual numbers.  He was treated by the vet with three days of IV
antibiotics, followed by two weeks of oral antibiotics.

I suggested re-testing after treatment, but the vet did not think it
necessary.  Should I retest?  If so, what should I be looking for?

Cindy