Canine Lyme Disease

The lyme disease occurs in dogs due to a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. A bite from the deer tick leads to the passing of the bacteria to the dogs. Before the transmission of the bacteria, the tick remains attached to the dog's skin for one to two days. Lyme can be a multi-systemic illness. Its symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, lameness, heart disease, loss of appetite, inflamed joints and kidney disease. Though uncommon, disorders of the nervous system can also occur. Though a vaccine is available for preventing lyme disease, it has not yet been approved by medical researchers.

It is better to consult a veterinarian when one's pet is suffering from lyme disease. The veterinarian determines whether a dog has lyme disease after performing a blood test. In dogs that have already been vaccinated, a special blood test needs to be performed. However, the tests cannot diagnose the disease convincingly. The veterinarian needs to evaluate the test results along with the dog's symptoms. A dog's reacting positively to treatment is equally important in making the final diagnosis.

The deer ticks get the infection from the white-footed mouse which is the carrier. The tick has to remain attached to an animal skin before it can pass on the bacteria. Sadly, these ticks are too small and can remain unnoticed. Humans can also get infected by the tick. For both dogs and humans, the disease can be treated by antibiotic medicines like doxycycline and tetracyclines. It has to be taken for at least three to four weeks. Dogs start showing signs of recovery after two to three days of starting treatment. Sometimes, the disease can recur within a few weeks or months. In such cases the dog has to undergo the antibiotic therapy for longer periods.

Once a dog is affected by the bacteria, it starts to limp. The limping progresses from barely noticeable to mild to non-use of the leg within a span of few days. A mild discomfort changes to a stage where a dog is full of pain in the joints and the muscles. Apart from damaging the joints, the bacteria affect the dog's heart muscles and nerve tissues. If diagnosed on time, proper treatment can cure the dog before permanent nerve or joint damage sets in.

Lyme disease often gets mistakenly diagnosed if any other disorder like lymph tissue cancer, blastomycosis or septicemia is present. Over ninety per cent of the dogs treated within a week of catching lyme disease respond positively to treatment. Some dogs can experience chronic, lifelong joint pains due to the damage caused by the bacteria.

Quick removal of the tick helps to prevent lyme disease. A veterinarian can suggest about the various tick prevention products available in the market. There are many safe insecticides that can be used around the dog. Some chemical agents can be applied once a month to certain areas of the dog's skin. Gradually, this agent spreads over the dog's body due to the oil on its skin and kills the ticks. Shampoos, sprays, powders, collars and dips are also effective in controlling the ticks.

• Juliana Breckinridge
• 24/05/2009, 9:59 AM
• 0 Comments