Lyme disease is a tick-caused infection that can spread to humans and animals. This disease has several side effects that can affect your dog’s life. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to Lyme disease in dogs.
Can Dogs Get Lyme Disease?
Both humans and dogs can get Lyme disease through infection of the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection spreads through deer tick bites, known as Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus. While cases have been reported in all 50 states, some regions are more prone to ticks than others. The Ixodes scapularis is present in the Midwest and Northeast, and the Ixodes pacificus lives on the west coast.
Ticks drink blood and prefer to feed on animals like voles, mice, and deer, but they don't avoid dogs. Once the tick bites your dog, they need to feed on it for a day or two to transfer the harmful bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. Peak infection times are in the spring when the tick is in the nymph stage, or spring and fall when adult ticks are looking for a host to feed on.
Over the last 20 years, the rate of Lyme disease cases in humans reported to the Centers for Disease Control has doubled. Dogs are even at a higher risk of Lyme disease because they spend a lot of time outside and are more exposed to ticks. If a dog gets bitten, the chance of becoming infected with Lyme disease is around 50%.
What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?
If your pet has been exposed to ticks, you can look for the common signs of Lyme disease in dogs:
- Low energy
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Swollen joints
- Pain and discomfort
- Lameness
- Dehydration
- Swollen lymph nodes
Some dogs get sudden arthritis that then causes pain and swelling. The infection can also have cardiac and neurological effects if left untreated. In the most severe cases, Lyme disease in dogs can cause kidney failure or even death. This isn’t very common, though.
How Is Lyme Disease in Dogs Diagnosed?
If you think your dog has been infected by a tick, call your vet and schedule an appointment. The vet will give your dog a physical exam and ask about the recent contact with ticks. Your vet will run two blood tests called the C6 Test and Quant C6 Test.
The C6 Test detects Lyme disease infection by checking for antibodies against a protein called C6. If your dog has been infected, these antibodies start to develop between two to five weeks after the tick bite. At this time, your dog might not even be showing any symptoms of Lyme disease. The Quant C6 Test follows, along with a urine test. A blood test can also check your dog’s kidney function. These results are used to decide the best course of treatment for your dog.
Other tests that can give Lyme disease in dogs prognosis include microscopy, culture isolation, and a PCR.
What Is the Treatment for Lyme Disease in Dogs?
The most common Lyme disease in dogs treatment is a course of antibiotics to help your dog fight off the infection. Symptoms typically go away quickly when the dog responds well to antibiotics. Your vet may also give you further instructions to care for your dog as it recovers.
The standard antibiotic to treat Lyme disease in dogs is doxycycline. Your dog will have to take the prescribed amount by mouth, for 30 days. Some dogs may need a longer course of antibiotics to fight off the infection.
If left untreated, Lyme disease in dogs can be fatal. While antibiotics help relieve symptoms, dogs may still feel some lingering effects of the infection. Some dogs may even experience chronic joint damage.
How Do You Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs?
To prevent Lyme disease in dogs, try to avoid tick-infested areas, especially during peak season. When you come in from the outdoors, check your dog’s body and carefully remove any ticks with tweezers.
Year-round tick control helps in prevention. You can also ask your vet about tick-preventive products. These products kill ticks on your dog’s body before they have a chance to spread an infection. Vaccines can also help prevent Lyme disease in dogs. Ask your vet if it's right for your dog.
