June 29, 2015

White Dog and The White Dog Army are proud to announce that at today's Paws To People Annual Board of Directors Meeting funds were approved to issue a $10,000 grant to fund research that will save lives of people and pets.

WE DID IT! ALL of us! In a spectacular example of the power of grassroots' ability to change the world, without any major sponsorship, All of us have worked together to make possible the hope that through Building Bridges we WILL conquer the diseases that take too many too soon!

Thank you. 
For your belief in us. For your support. For your encouragement. This is a victory for all of us!

Paws To People is still in the review process but have giiven a tentative nod for our historic first award to a project to attack Lyme Disease by "examining the incidence, distribution, and other factors of the co-mission of ehrlichia and Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial species that is the predominant causative agent of Lyme disease and the development of an improved screening method for these diseases in dogs. Final approval is expected in the next weeks.

Lyme Disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosedbased on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.  Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics

The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs differ from those in people, and usually occur much later after the tick bite. Clinical illness in dogs usually occurs 2 to 5 months after a bite from an infected tick. Cats can develop Lyme disease, but it occurs rarely in them, even in endemic areas. Other domestic animals such as horses have contracted Lyme disease, but it does not appear to be a significant problem. Dogs show several different forms of the disease, but by far, the most common symptoms are a fever of between 103 and 105°, lameness, swelling in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Although not common, some dogs have developed severe progressive kidney disease as sequel to Lyme disease. This severe kidney failure is difficult to treat and may result in death of the dog. It is recommended that a dog with a positive Lyme antibody test have additional blood tests and a urinalysis to assess kidney function. Some dogs may also develop heart problems or nervous system disease after being infected with B. burgdorferi.

Dogs do not develop the typical rash or the circular area of redness around the bite (erythemamigrans) which is seen in people.