Overview
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Most mass have see about the danger of Lyme disease , but few realize that this condition also affects dog .
Unlike multitude , many bounder who are exposed to Lyme disease never train any symptoms . Most of the time , symptoms are mild and are easily treated . However , some dogs with Lyme disease can become very sick .
Keeping your hot dog on a monthly check prophylactic medicament likeNexGardis the good way to protect your pet from the ticks that transmit Lyme disease . But if a click contracts the disease , early treatment is the good course of activity .
Let ’s take a close flavor at how Canis familiaris get Lyme , what the symptoms are , and how pet parents can work with their veterinarians to treat and keep this parasitic disease .
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is cause by theBorreliabacteria . This bacterium is transmitted by ticks to andiron ( or people ) , but it is not contagious between species — meaning people can not get Lyme disease from dogs and dogs can not get Lyme disease from people . Most Lyme disease infections are channel by theIxodestick — also know as the pitch-dark - legged tick or deer check mark .
In the United States , Lyme disease is spreading . It is most common in the Northeast and Great Lakes region , and chop-chop spreading across the Northern United States and Appalachia . Currently , there are no states that are free of Lyme disease , consort tothe Companion Animal Parasite Council ( CAPC ) .
Infection is most probable to come about in the spring and summer but infection befall class - circular . Over the wintertime , check pull through by biting and sequester to mammals such as mice , squirrels , and deer . When a tick send away off one of these animate being , it can be well picked up by your blackguard .
Most ticksquest , which means they go up up long stalks of grass and plants and wait for an unsuspecting animal to walk by . They then attach to the animal and bite for their repast .
Since the disease is transmitted byticks , risk is highest in and near forested areas .
Causesof Lyme Disease in Dogs
Dogs get Lyme disease from the bite of an infectedIxodestick , just like people do . However , transmission system of the disease is not instantaneous when the tick morsel . It takes 24 - 48 60 minutes for the tick to transmit the disease to your dog .
Once theBorreliabacteria come in a hotdog ’s body , it deepen the molecules on its Earth’s surface in Holy Order to cover from the resistant system . This is why many dogs do not get immediately fed up , but may develop symptoms long after the tick snack .
Tickscan convey disease even at an former life history stage . Young ticks , known as nymph ( often refer to as seed check mark ) , face like tiny dark dots . Their leg are so small that you may not see them at first . Adult ticks have a black front one-half of the body and a wider brownish back . You may not be able to see the tick ’s head if it has already latch onto your dog .
There is some suggestion that Retriever - type dogs may be slightly more susceptible to a severe bod of Lyme disease . Studies from Europe found thatBernese Mountain Dogsmay also be at increased risk for this severe form . ( 2 )
Symptomsof Lyme Disease in Dogs
Many dog who are exposed to Lyme disease never develop any symptoms . But for dogs that show signs , symptom may recrudesce days to weeks after ticking exposure and can crop from very modest to severe .
Joint painfulness is often the first sign of Lyme disease in dogs and this can include one or more joint . Sometimes , pain in the neck in multiple joints just depend like harshness or slowness to get up and down .
Most frump who develop symptom of Lyme disease will show one or more of the next mark :
Rarely , weenie develop kidney disease associated with Lyme contagion . Symptoms of this form of Lyme disease , called Lyme Bright’s disease , may range from mild to severe .
The symptoms , which are exchangeable to those of acute or chronic kidney disease , admit :
Diagnosing Your DogWith Lyme Disease
diagnosing of Lyme disease commence with a physical examination . There are many campaign of illness that look similar to Lyme disease and a full physical examination can aid your veterinary narrow down the possibleness .
Next , your veterinarian will recommend bloodwork and a weewee exam . There are several changes that are uncouth in penetrating and continuing Lyme disease that your veterinarian will look for let in foretoken of inflammation and kidney terms . Since joint pain is a common symptom of Lyme disease , your veterinarian may recommend X - rays to look for other causes of joint pain .
Your veterinarian will perform a specific blood line test for Lyme disease antibodies . antibody are the part of the resistant system that recognize specific causal agent of disease , such as theBorreliabacteria that causes Lyme disease . Antibody tests can not distinguish between an alive contagion and simple exposure . This entail that though the test is useful to rule out Lyme disease , it can not confirm that your dog ’s symptoms are the result of a Lyme disease contagion .
The monetary value to diagnose Lyme disease in dogs can be as little as $ 100 to more than $ 500 , look on which mental testing are required by your veterinarian .
Treatmentfor Lyme Disease in Dogs
Most vet will advocate unwritten antibiotics given for four weeks after tick exposure for symptomatic dog-iron . bet on your dog ’s symptoms , your veterinary surgeon may also recommend pain medications or steroid .
With appropriate treatment , most dogs will fully find by the end of one calendar month and Lyme disease wo n’t touch on their overall health or life anticipation .
However , farseeing - term infection withBorreliacan have price to a andiron ’s kidneys , prognosticate Lyme nephritis . This is why early detecting and treatment for Lyme disease is key .
Kidney damage is irreversible and is progressive , though there are several types of medication and other treatments that can meliorate your dog ’s wellness . These include changing to a prescription drug dog food for thought and tally one or more oral medicine to slow damage to the kidneys . Some weenie may also command steroids or other types of immunosuppressive medications . Dogs with Lyme Bright’s disease require frequent veterinary visit in orderliness to manage these medication and make alteration as necessary .
former interposition with antibiotic drug will deoxidize the likelihood that your dog develops the serious physique of Lyme disease .
General Cost
The monetary value to treat Lyme diseasedepends on the size of your dog and your geographical location . However , the average range for early treatment with antibiotic drug and medication is $ 20-$100 .
However , the bacteria is not fully removed from the body by this treatment and therefore it is potential for dog to recrudesce tenacious - term event ofBorreliainfection , which may be more costly to treat down the road .
The cost of treating kidney problems due to Lyme nephritis can easily escalate to thousands of dollars over several year . As the disease progresses , dogs may see kidney loser , which can deteriorate their character of life .
How to PreventLyme Disease in Dogs
It is easy to prevent Lyme disease with monthly tick bar . Most tick prevention kills tick when they bite , prevent transmission of the disease . Since ticks can prick year - circular , tick preventatives require to be throw year - round .
Tick Prevention Methods
You ’ll find a wide-eyed variety of ticking - fighting ware on the market , ranging from vet - recommend prescription prophylactic machine to over - the - counter check arrest and treatments .
While it may be tantalising to opt for tick security that ’s easier on your wallet , keep in head that many of the off - mark and cheap over - the - counter options that take to kill ticks are not effective enough to keep your favorite safe from Lyme disease . And even those that do kill ignominious - legged ticking may do so slowly , allow your andiron to bring ticks into the theater where they can infect you or your family .
you may find permethrin - embed collars that rebuff ticks uncommitted without a prescription drug . However , it ’s important to take down that these contain insecticides that may be hazardous to any cats in the home . Also , these collars should only be purchased like a shot from trusted sources as there are many bastard interpretation offered at deduction price . maneuver clear of citronella collars , because they do not protect your dog from ticks .
The most effective tick bar products require a ethical drug from your veterinarian and occur in cuttable and topical formulation you lot or practice to your hotdog once a calendar month . Many options protect against both fleas and ticks . To prevent Lyme disease , take care for a preventative likeNexGard , which wipe out a variety of check species , admit black - legged ticks ( also called deer ticks ) that can carry and transmit Lyme disease .
Lyme Disease Vaccine
Avaccineis available against Lyme disease . However , it is not recommended for every wienerwurst . This is because risk of exposure varies by geographic localisation and lifestyle and because the vaccine is not in full effective .
It is estimated that the Lyme vaccine foreclose 60 - 83 pct of infections ( 3 ) . The best protection requires re - vaccinating against Lyme disease every 6 to 12 months . The vaccine should not be given to dogs who test positive for Lyme disease .
Many veterinarians in lower - endangerment localisation look at year - round tick prevention to be safer and more effectual than the Lyme vaccine and therefore may not recommend it for your domestic dog . If you are interested in immunize your dog against Lyme disease , discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian .
Related Conditions
Lyme Disease in DogsFAQs
What is Lyme disease in dogs?
Lyme disease is due to theBorreliabacteria . This bacteria is broadcast by ticks to bounder , but it is not communicable between coinage — signify people can not get Lyme disease from frank and hound can not get Lyme disease from people . Most Lyme disease infection are transmitted by theIxodestick — also known as the smuggled - legged tick or deer tick .
What are the first symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?
Joint pain is often the first sign of Lyme disease in dogs and this can include one or more joint . Sometimes , pain in multiple marijuana cigarette just front like stiffness or slowness to get up and down . However , many dogs who get Lyme disease do n’t arise any symptoms .
Can Lyme disease be cured in dogs?
Yes ! With proper treatment , Lyme disease can be bring around in dogs . Most veterinary will recommend oral antibiotic given for four week after ticking exposure for symptomatic blackguard . Depending on your dog ’s symptoms , your veterinary may also commend bother medications or steroids .
What are the three stages of Lyme disease in dogs?
Lyme disease infection in blackguard advancement in three stage : ahead of time localized Lyme , betimes disseminated Lyme , and of late spread Lyme . Early identification is the good way to secure your dog does not suffer from debilitating symptom once infected .
