Has anyone treated Lyme with IV oxytetracycline?

[retrofit]

I’m awaiting blood test results that I strongly suspect will show a rising Lyme titre.

My horse was just treated for Lyme for the month of September with minocycline. I realize that “relapses” are common, but my horse has been out of work for most of this year due to several issues, so I have a strong desire to get him well as quickly & as thoroughly as possible.

I’m trying to get my ducks in a row so I can act quickly when the results come in. I’m reading that IV tetracycline is more effective in eradicating the Lyme - and it’s a shorter course of treatment - but many of the articles I’m reading are older and I’m not sure if that info is still valid. Also, there is a large discrepancy in the term of the treatment: anything from 1 week - 4 weeks is recommended, sometimes with oral abx as a follow-up.

Of course I am working with my vet on this, just looking for other first-hand experiences. Has anyone treated with IV oxytet and what was the outcome? Did you follow-up with oral abx as well? If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear specifics about the protocol your vet used.

TIA.

[DMK]

Isn’t that drug really, really tough on their veins, so vets typically do not like to give it IV more than 1X and only when really needed?

[adultponyhunter]

I agree with above. My pony had anaplasmosis twice this past summer. First time was treated with three doses of oxytet, the second time he was treated with five doses although the vet was hesitant to do so. It’s really tough of their veins and given in such volume that I would never subject a horse to more than absolutely needed.

[3chestnuts]

Yes, I treated my horse with IV oxytet last spring. In the fall, he was diagnosed with acute Lyme and was treated with minocycline for thirty days. After sufficient time passed (I want to say it was a couple of months?) he was retested, and showed positive for chronic Lyme.

Unfortunately, my horse was suffering from a separate issue at the time, which required daily attention, so I scheduled to have the vet come to the barn once daily for 5-7 days and gave him the IV oxytet. There was no follow up protocol after that. I don’t remember her saying anything about it being tough on their veins, but he came through fine and is still Lyme negative.

Lyme is tricky to deal with, and I don’t blame you for wanting to get after it guns blazing. Good luck!

[Jumper_girl221]

When my mare had a positive test last year, the vet recommended IV oxy in the clinic for 7 days, followed by 30 days minocycline. I was fine with it…till I got the $2800 quote.

After recovering from my shock and talking to some of the older vets, I ended up treating with just the minocycline, and follow up tests were negative. The one older vet I spoke with especially was not in favor of oxytet unless absolutely required…he said he’d seen too many bad reactions.

Now with that said, I was going to swallow the bitter pill and treat with oxytet if the minocycline didn’t work, so I do understand where you are coming from.

[Stacie]

I’ve done it with 2 horses for 4 weeks. Each had a new infection several years later and were retreated the same way. One time the horse had a catheter. 35 ml once a day.

[Parrotnutz]

I had a horse several years ago with chronic lyme. We treated at the clinic with IV Oxytet for 2 weeks via catheter followed by oral doxy. It worked very well. This was after my vet spoke with Dr Divers from Cornell.

[MuddyHalter]

I had one come back with a high chronic Lyme titre, and did the IV oxytet. Fortunately, my vet practice’s office was about 10 min away, and I was a good, longstanding client (I have since moved out of state), so my vets were willing to come out daily to administer the oxytet, and cut me a break on the call fees. Following the 10 days of IV oxytet, I gave minocycline for two months. The horse’s subsequent tests came back negative. He didn’t have any reaction to the medication. I have heard of people having catheters sewn in for administering oxytet themselves, but even with being comfortable administering IV and IM injections, I wouldn’t want any parts of giving oxytet myself. I think my horse got 60 cc at a time, and that stuff is super thick.

[stargzng386]

My vet recommends 5 days IV Oxytet and 30 days minocycline after. My horse had extremly high chronic levels and since this treatment has not relapsed in 3 years. He did get a new infection recently but the chronic levels were still low. I treated the new infection the same way since it worked so well. I’d rather hit it hard initially and not have to go through another treatment. My vet offered 30 days oxytet but it’s too expensive for me.

[walktrot]

It was several years ago that my gelding and I went through this, but the vet recommended 6 weeks of oral doxy. Fortunately there was someone at the barn who was able to do the evening dose, and I did the mornings. We only missed one dose. He’s been fine ever since.

I read somewhere (maybe thehorse.com) that some antibiotics are more effective in the nervous system and some are better in the joints.

[Golden_Pony]

Yes. Pony was chronic (titer was 17,500). Had vet install a catheter in neck and did oxy 2x a day for 30 days. It was a PITA but it worked. Pony had no adverse reactions.

[syreino]

I am currently treating my mare with IV oxytet after 6 weeks of Doxy did nothing (behavior change and titer wise). We got one day in each vein before the swelling started, so we put a catheter in and so far so good (day 4 only). My vet said some horses get three days before they have to discontinue the injections, some horses are fine for the full 10. I didn’t want to discontinue, so I opted when I saw the first bit of swelling to do a catheter instead. More work for me to flush, and it means she’s in 24/7, but I feel like it is our only chance to try to get ahead of the Lyme.

She’s had (for her) serious behavioral issues. We went to New Bolton and did the full neuro work-up, overnight videoing, TMJ injections when they felt maybe there were some changes on radiograph. She tested positive for chronic Lyme (and EMP), and my regular vet said with her Lyme numbers he’d definitely treat. So we tried 6 weeks of doxy, which did nothing but empty my wallet; now we are doing the oxytet, and I hope beyond hope it will help her. I will have to ask about following up with 30 days of minocycline as that wasn’t presented to me as an option.

Good luck with your horse. I wouldn’t wish chronic Lyme on anyone. It is horrible, and I only hope that I get my sweet girl’s personality back. Best of luck to you!

[retrofit]

Thanks everyone! I wish you all luck (who are still treating) as well.

I should have results back by Monday. I’m not good at waiting. Everyone says we need to create jobs; why can’t labs have weekend shifts?? (just kidding. sort of.)

[butiwantedapony]

My mare had anaplasmosis (or possibly PHF, we didn’t test) this summer. Treated with oxytet IV for 4 days - Vet came out to administer daily. She was totally fine by the last day.

[CBurkott]

Hi OP. Whatever happened in this situation? I’m dealing with chronic and infectious Lyme in my mare. Worried.