Cornell University multiplex Lyme test

[Lunabear1988]

I have a NQR horse that’s has been very “nqr” for almost two years. We are at the point where the vet and I agreed euthanizing might be best as we can’t seem to figure this out (us and many other vets including CSU.)

Before she did one last exam, she mentioned maybe as one last shot testing for Lyme. I reminded her that we did test for lyme back in October at my request (no vets thought Lyme or epm was likely given his specific symptoms.)

My question is how accurate is the Cornell multiplex test? At the time he was tested he had had these extreme symptoms for at least a year but tested negative across the board including for chronic Lyme. I’m asking here because I live in Colorado where Lyme is very very rare. So vets aren’t exactly experts with it.

What are the chances he had a false negative? I was reading in can given one if they haven’t been infected for 3 weeks. But his symptoms were on going for a year so can rest assured that the Lyme test was accurate?

[raisethebar]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding but you are thinking about putting him down because you can’t figure it out? What are the horse’s symptoms?

What other steps did you take to diagnose?

You can always try treating for lyme - normally it always makes them feel better (especially ones with arthritis) because the medicine has anti-inflammatory properties to it.

When I was trying to figure out what was bothering my horse this was the first route I went - he was negative but I was told I could treat him anyways because the lymes test are not accurate and if it is too early, may not get detected… I passed and went to an amazing vet that is known for diagnosing issues and he figured it out with a bone scan and a couple of ultrasounds. 4 months later, my horse is doing amazing and is on his way to being better than ever!

[trubandloki]

@raisethebar

Maybe I’m misunderstanding but you are thinking about putting him down because you can’t figure it out? What are the horse’s symptoms?

I am missing something, is that the point of the thread?
(The OP has several threads on that topic if you want to know the answer.)

@raisethebar

You can always try treating for lymes - normally it always makes them feel better (especially ones with arthritis) because the medicine has anti-inflammatory properties to it.

I thought the treatment for Lyme disease (there is no S on it) is long term antibiotics. Not sure how that equals anti-inflammatory.

[Lunabear1988]

See other thread to get the whole picture. I think I’m just grasping at straws in my emotional state.

Still would be curious to see how accurate people and vets feel the Cornell Multiplex test is. Good information to super store away.

[cayuse]

Trubandloki, When I went through the Lyme thing with my ponies I was told if you treat with doxy the doxy has mild anti inflammatory properties along with being an antibiotic. So if you treat a horse for potential Lyme that is sore but Lyme negative and you get a positive (hose cured) response, it is difficult to know if the horse was a false negative on the lyme or if the doxy had just enough anti inflammatory action to fix whatever was causing the soreness. I sure hope I explained that right, its been awhile since the ponies where treated.

OP can you do the Lyme test one more time? I read your other threads, I am sorry that you are having to go through all this.

[raisethebar]

@cayuse

Trubandloki, When I went through the Lyme thing with my ponies I was told if you treat with doxy the doxy has mild anti inflammatory properties along with being an antibiotic. So if you treat a horse for potential Lyme that is sore but Lyme negative and you get a positive (hose cured) response, it is difficult to know if the horse was a false negative on the lyme or if the doxy had just enough anti inflammatory action to fix whatever was causing the soreness. I sure hope I explained that right, its been awhile since the ponies where treated.

OP can you do the Lyme test one more time? I read your other threads, I am sorry that you are having to go through all this.

^^^ @cayuse This is exactly what I was told… A lot of people thought their horses were cured after treating for LYME* (sorry - edited my previous post. I am from a family that adds “s” to the end of everything. :lol:)

I am sorry you are going through this @Lunabear1988 - I didn’t know you had previous threads, I will go back and read.

[Lunabear1988]

He’s on DEX for a week and we are x-raying his neck tomorrow.
I’m not sure if it’s worth retesting as it would be nearly impossible that he wasn’t chronic at the time he was tested. Plus no vet thinks he presents as LYME, we only ever tested him because I insisted on ruling everything possible out.

Honestly I think I’m just emotional and thinking with my heart and not my mind right now.

Thanks guys.

[Lunabear1988]

The reason I say it’s not worth it is because it’s a slippery slope to go back and retest and retry things I’ve already done with no success when no vet out of many suspects them. I’ve already spent thousands and I don’t want to get caught back into a hopeless rabbit hole.