Written By: Rachel Holly
Vet-reviewed by Kevin Smith, DVM, Richmond Road Vet Clinic
Lyme Disease is a common bacterial infection which dogs are at an increased risk for contracting when outdoors during the warm weather months. This is because Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected tick. While commonly seen in dogs, it should not be assumed that Lyme is not serious. It can lead to potentially life threatening conditions if not properly treated. Knowing how it occurs and what the signs are, increases the chances of a positive prognosis if you dog does contract Lyme Disease.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a common tick-borne bacterial infection that affects dogs. When an infected tick bites your dog, it transmits the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi via its saliva into your pet’s bloodstream. The blood transports the bacterium throughout the body and symptoms will occur two to five months after transmission.
How Do Dogs Get Lyme Disease?
Dogs contract Lyme Disease from a tick bite. This is the only method of transmission. It is not contagious; they cannot get it from other animals or from humans. Likewise, humans do not “catch” it from their pets. Theoretically, a tick could dislodge from your dog’s skin and then bite you or another pet so prompt safe removal of a tick is key.
Since ticks are the culprit here it’s’ good to know a little more about them to assess your dog’s risks. Only certain tick species carry Lyme and most cases are caused by the black-legged tick, more commonly known as the deer tick. Ticks are most prevalent in TN from April to September during the warm humid weather and they live in tall grasses, wooded areas, and marshes. It’s important to note that not all ticks carry Lyme Disease so a bite is not a guarantee that the disease will occur.
Ticks do not just bite and then disappear. They burrow in the skin and feed on the animal’s blood.
Are Cats at Risk of Lyme Disease?
Though it is biologically possible for cats to be infected with Lyme disease it is extremely rare. In fact according to Cornell Feline Health Center it has only occurred in control laboratory environments.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Symptoms of Lyme Disease include fever, lethargy, lameness, lack of appetite, and swelling/stiffness of joints. Kidney failure, cardiac problems, and neurological issues can occur in the later stages. Be aware these symptoms will only show after 2 – 5 months after the tick bite occurs. That means if you find a tick on your dog, he’s not in the clear because he’s doing fine the next week. Make a metal note of when you spotted the tick and watch out for any signs that develop for the next several months.
How is Lyme Disease Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosing Lyme Disease is not as clear cut as it is with other illnesses. The blood tests that are used are antibodies tests which confirm exposure. A dog can be infected but not yet have developed antibodies detected by the test. Other dogs that have been infected for a long period may have lost the antibodies. A second test called a QC6 can be used to confirm diagnosis.
Your vet will analyze your dogs clinical signs and performing a blood test and urinalysis.
The treatment for Lyme Disease is a course of antibiotics usually administered for a least 30 days. The first line choice is doxycycline with amoxicillin and zithromax also used. Other medications such as anti-inflammatories may also be used to manage joint discomfort. While the majority of dogs recover completely following treatment others may have relapses of symptoms that necessitates ongoing treatment.
Is There a Way to Prevent Lyme Disease?
There is no way to absolutely guarantee that your dog won’t get Lyme disease but there are are few precautions that significantly reduce their chance of transmission:
Keep you dog up-to-date on flea/tick preventative year round. Yes, ticks are prevalent in warmer weather. But many regions in the country are seeing earlier than usual appearances of fleas and ticks due to climate change, deforestation, and changing migrating habits.
Since ticks love high grass, keep your yard trimmed and clear out old debris and brush.
Avoid areas of overgrown grass, marshy land, and wooded areas where ticks flourish. Keep to the trail on hikes.
If you do go hiking or have been in an area where ticks would be likely, give your dog a once over and look for a tick buried in the skin. Transmission takes 24 -48 hrs so prompt removal of the tick can greatly lessen the risk of your dog getting sick
There is a Lyme disease vaccine. Talk with your vet about whether your dog’s individual risks warrant getting vaccinated.
