Lyme disease in dogs is well-known for remaining undetected until it has become a severe, chronic condition. Knowing and spotting the early signs of dog Lyme disease will increase your pet’s chances of having a successful treatment.
Defining Lyme Disease in Dogs
What is Lyme disease in dogs? Also called Lyme borreliosis, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Dogs get infected with this condition if they get bitten by infected ticks, which the bacteria use as hosts.
An infected tick bite in dogs provides the Borrelia burgdorferi access to the bloodstream. Once inside, the bacteria begin to spread throughout various body parts. They can compromise different organ functions and affect the joints of affected dogs.
4 Common Types of Ticks That Transmit Dog Lyme Disease
Several varieties of ticks can transmit Lyme disease in dogs. However, some of the most common types are:
- Western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus)
- Castor bean ticks (Ixodes ricinus)
- Sheep ticks or taiga ticks (Ixodes persulcatus)
- Deer ticks or black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis)
Amongst the 4, black-legged ticks are responsible for rampant Lyme disease transmission in dogs living in the United States. Sheep ticks and castor beans are the more common carriers of dog Lyme disease in Europe.
Contagiousness of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Is Lyme disease contagious in dogs? No, Lyme disease cannot be transmitted from one dog to another or from dog to human. Dogs are not hosts for bacteria, but ticks are.
However, the transmission of dog Lyme disease in your home may happen when an infected tick clings to your dog’s fur after he goes outdoors. If this occurs, other pets and humans within the vicinity are at risk of infection.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease once they are attached to dogs for around 1–2 days. As for humans, the transmission may occur when ticks are attached for about 2–3 days.
3 Stages of Dog Lyme Disease
What are the 3 stages of Lyme in dogs? The 3 stages of dog Lyme disease are called acute, subacute, and chronic respectively. They depict the early to late signs of the condition.
Read on to know what are Lyme disease symptoms in dogs according to its stages.
Stage 1: Acute Lyme Disease in Dogs
During the early stage of dog Lyme disease, symptoms usually take a long time to manifest. It can take around 2–5 months for them to appear.
So, what are the first signs of Lyme disease in dogs? One of the most common first symptoms of lime disease in dogs is swollen joints that are warm to the touch.
It can lead affected dogs to display shifting leg lameness. This condition lasts for about 3–4 days but may reappear days to weeks later.
Other early signs of dog Lyme disease are:
- Lethargy
- Inappetence
- Sudden weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Depression
- Fatigue
Stage 2: Subacute Lyme Disease in Dogs
When dog Lyme disease becomes moderately severe, lameness will persistently arise. Affected dogs may also develop arthritis, which can further aggravate their inflamed joints.
Stage 3: Chronic Lyme Disease in Dogs
Is Lyme disease fatal in dogs? When dog Lyme disease reaches its chronic or advanced stage, it can cause severe deterioration of pet health, leading to fatal health complications.
Many organ functions, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and nervous system, become affected as the ailment worsens.
During this stage, dogs with Lyme disease are likely to develop heart arrhythmia and neurological disorders such as seizures and facial paralysis. Kidney damage may also occur in most cases, which is often fatal.
Most dogs with Lyme disease rarely show clinical signs. Only around 5–10% of them manifest visible symptoms. In most cases, these signs appear when the condition is already in its advanced stages.
Diagnosing Lyme Disease in Dogs
Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are similar to clinical signs of other canine health issues. The vet will have to review your dog’s medical history and conduct a few tests to produce an accurate diagnosis. These tests include:
C6 Test
The vet carries out this test to detect antibodies against a protein named “C6.” If antibodies are present in your dog’s body, it hints that he has Lyme disease.
However, the C6 test can give false-negative results. It particularly happens when dogs with Lyme disease have not formed antibodies yet. Another possible reason is when there is a great lack of antibodies, which fails to produce a positive result.
With this in mind, it is advised to let your dog take the C6 test no earlier than 4 weeks. Around this time, the antibodies are more likely to be detected.
Quant C6 Test
This test measures the numerical antibody level of dogs to confirm whether or not they have Lyme disease. Quant C6 test also helps the vet determine if antibiotic medications should be included in the treatment.
Treatment of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Can Lyme disease be cured in dogs? Yes, dog Lyme disease can be cured, but time is the essence. Late treatment can result in irreversible and fatal organ damage, as we have mentioned before.
How do you treat Lyme disease in dogs? Dog Lyme disease is commonly treated with antibiotics. Many vets opt to use doxycycline, but other antibiotic medications such as amoxicillin and azithromycin are fine too.
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Dogs with Lyme disease who experience pain due to joint inflammation or lameness will be prescribed NSAIDs or steroids. These medications aid in relieving pain and easing body inflammation.
Lyme disease in dogs’ treatment lasts for about 4 weeks. However, if the symptoms persist, longer medication therapy might be necessary.
Lyme Disease in Dogs Prognosis
How long does Lyme disease last in dogs? With proper treatment, dog Lyme disease can last for around 3–5 days before it is resolved.
However, it should be noted that the condition can recur in some dogs, especially those that are immuno-compromised. If it does happen, the vet will likely use antibiotic medications for treatment.
Taking your dog to the vet for blood tests is recommended 6 months after completing antibiotic therapy. It will determine if your dog’s treatment was successful.
5 Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs
Pet owners can avoid the hassle of getting their dog treated for Lyme disease by following these preventive measures:
1. Avoid places that are prone to tick infestation.
Ticks populate woody, sandy, and grassy areas. It would be best to keep away from these places when walking your dog. If you have a back garden, mow down tall grass to prevent ticks from turning your lawn into a breeding ground.
2. Get your dog anti-flea and tick treatments.
Tick-borne diseases can be prevented by applying anti-flea and tick treatments on your dog. They come in many forms, such as tablets, topical solutions, and collars.
Some can be acquired from the vet, whilst others can be bought over the counter. However, the vet should supervise the usage of these products to avoid unwanted side effects.
3. Check your dog for ticks after every outdoor excursion.
Always remember to thoroughly inspect your dog’s body after walks. Feel for small bumps on his skin. Ticks usually attach themselves to the feet, lips, inside the ears, around the eyes, between the toes, under the tail, and near the anus of dogs.
4. Remove ticks immediately.
If you find a tick on your dog, do not delay its removal. Remember that the longer this parasite stays on him, the higher the chances he will contract tick-borne diseases.
When removing a tick, make sure that your hands are gloved. Use tweezers to pull it off his skin. Never use your bare hands as you might risk getting bitten by the tick.
5. Consider having your dog vaccinated.
Vaccination provides dogs additional protection against Lyme disease. If you live in tick-endemic areas, doing this preventive measure is highly encouraged.
Mind that several factors will be taken into account before your dog is given vaccination. These include the number of antibodies in his system as well as his lifestyle. Discuss them thoroughly with the vet to ensure your dog gets strong protection.
It should also be noted that this type of vaccine is not 100% effective. Thus, do not skip other preventive measures to avoid exposing your dog to Lyme disease.
Ticks are highly active during the spring and summer but are also present throughout the year. Integrating these preventive measures into your dog’s daily routine will keep him protected from Lyme disease all year round.