Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, affecting both humans and animals, including our beloved dogs. Deer ticks can bite your dog during outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, or even just playing in the backyard. This bacterial infection can spread throughout the body, leading to issues in organs and joints. Here’s what you need to know about preventing Lyme disease, recognizing the symptoms, exploring treatment options, and safely removing ticks from your dog.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, primarily transmitted to dogs through the bite of infected ticks, especially the deer tick (also known as the black-legged tick). These ticks thrive in grassy, wooded, and sandy environments. While Lyme disease affects both humans and pets, direct transmission between them isn’t possible. The disease spreads only through the bite of an infected tick. Although deer ticks exist across states, Lyme disease diagnoses are most common in the Midwest and Eastern United States.
Following outdoor activities, promptly perform regular tick checks on your dog. Use these signs of lyme disease on a dog to identify the disease early.
bacteria from tick can cause lyme disease
Identifying Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Your Dog
Many dogs infected with Lyme disease may not show symptoms for two to five months, by which point the disease may have spread widely. In some dogs, it may take even longer for signs to appear. These symptoms can include:
- Lameness: Dogs may exhibit enlarged or swollen legs, or shifting leg lameness (limping that moves from one leg to another) due to swollen joints.
- Kidney Issues: Dogs may experience kidney-related signs, such as vomiting, weight loss, increased thirst and urination, and a poor appetite.
- Fever: High fevers are often present in dogs with Lyme disease.
Generalized pain, limping, and decreased appetite are common reasons why pet owners bring their dogs to the veterinarian, only to discover it’s Lyme disease.
Diagnosing Lyme Disease in Dogs
Your veterinarian can conduct diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease. The most common test is an antibody test, which detects antibodies produced by the dog’s immune system in response to the infection. This test is usually performed four weeks after a tick bite to allow sufficient time for antibodies to develop.
In some cases, further testing may be recommended, including PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or the C6 antibody ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). These tests measure specific antibodies in your pet’s blood to determine if the infection is recent or longstanding. The C6 test also quantifies antibody levels, indicating the severity of the infection. This data helps your veterinarian create the most effective treatment plan for your pet.
General blood and urine tests can also evaluate kidney function and check for protein loss in the urine, as Lyme disease can lead to kidney complications. Joint fluid analysis can assess inflammation and the presence of bacteria in the affected joints. These tests can help you catch early signs of lymes disease in a dog.
Treating Lyme Disease in Dogs
Typically, Lyme disease in dogs is treated with antibiotics like doxycycline, amoxicillin, or azithromycin. The treatment duration may vary depending on the infection’s severity but usually lasts about four weeks. It’s crucial for your dog to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian to ensure effective eradication of the bacteria.
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for dogs with Lyme disease is generally good. However, untreated or progressive disease can lead to more severe complications.
Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs
Preventing Lyme disease in dogs involves a comprehensive approach. Here are some essential prevention strategies:
- Use tick preventive products: Your veterinarian can recommend various options, including topical applications (on the back of the neck) or chewable products. Most of these products are used monthly, although some last up to three months.
- Be cautious in tick-prone areas: Exercise caution in tall grasses and wooded areas, where ticks are commonly found. They thrive above ground in shady and moist environments.
- Perform regular tick checks: After outdoor activities, check your dog for ticks. Rub their body from head to tail to feel for lumps. Then, pull back their hair to examine the skin, paying attention to hidden areas like ears, armpits, groin, and between the toes. Be aware that nymph ticks, which are only the size of a poppy seed, can be hard to see.
- Maintain your yard: Keep your yard well-maintained and free from tick-friendly environments, like tall grass and standing water. Consider planting lavender, rosemary, or marigolds, which have natural tick-repellent properties. Professional tick control treatments are also an option.
- Consider Lyme disease vaccination: If you live in areas where deer ticks are common or Lyme disease is prevalent, consider vaccinating your dog. The initial vaccine requires two doses, spaced two to four weeks apart, ideally just before tick season. This timing ensures the most effective protection during peak season. Compared to viral vaccines like parvo or rabies, developing an effective vaccine for bacteria is more challenging. Consequently, annual revaccination is necessary to maintain your dog’s immunity, as bacterial vaccine protection diminishes more quickly.
how to prevent lyme disease
Removing a Tick from Your Dog
Lyme disease can take up to 24-48 hours to infect the host, so immediate tick removal is crucial. To safely remove a tick from your dog:
- Use tweezers or a tick removal tool: Firmly grasp the tick by its head, close to the skin, avoiding squeezing the body. This prevents the tick’s contents, including potential disease-causing bacteria, from being forced into the skin.
- Pull gently and steadily: With a firm grip on the tick’s head, pull straight upward with a steady motion. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause the tick’s mouth or head to break off and remain in the skin.
- Check for any remnants: After removing the tick, inspect the area to ensure that the entire tick, including its head and mouthparts, has been removed. If parts remain, try to remove them gently. If you have trouble, consult your veterinarian.
- Clean the area: Thoroughly clean the bite area with soap and water to reduce infection risk. Applying an antiseptic to the area is also an option.
- Monitor for signs of infection: Watch the bite area for the next 24 hours. If you notice any redness, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your veterinarian.
- Contact your veterinarian: Due to the number of diseases transmitted by ticks, your veterinarian may want to test your pet for diseases four to six weeks after removing a tick. Some may even prescribe preventative antibiotics right away.
If you’re unsure about removing a tick or your dog shows any signs of illness after a tick bite, consult with your veterinarian for proper guidance and care.
Read more about Lyme disease from The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
