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Dog Diagnosed Faster Than Family With Lyme Disease
22 Jun
Summary
- A family dog received a Lyme diagnosis faster than four family members.
- Years of mysterious symptoms for siblings were eventually diagnosed as Lyme.
- The absence of a bull's-eye rash delayed human diagnoses for a decade.
During May's Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Makalea recounted her family's prolonged battle with the illness. Ironically, their family dog, Molly, received a Lyme disease diagnosis significantly faster than any of the human family members. Makalea, who now uses Instagram to raise awareness, spent years seeking a diagnosis for unexplained joint pain. Her three younger siblings also experienced similar prolonged health issues.
Molly was diagnosed almost immediately after developing a rash from a tick bite, receiving prompt antibiotic treatment. In contrast, Makalea and her siblings faced a decade of uncertainty. Makalea believes a common myth—that Lyme disease always presents with a bull's-eye rash—contributed to the delays. She and her siblings never experienced this rash, leading them to dismiss potential tick exposures.
Makalea was finally diagnosed in early 2020, with her siblings receiving their diagnoses in subsequent years. The family was treated not only for Lyme disease but also for co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia. Makalea estimates she is now about 90 percent recovered, reflecting on how an earlier diagnosis could have drastically altered her life.
