Lyme disease

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease (named after the Connecticut town of Lyme) is an illness caused by a type of bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that’s transmitted through certain ticks. A small percentage of infected dogs go on to develop signs of illness—which can be quite severe.

How do dogs contact Lyme disease?

Animals can become infected when they’re bitten by ticks that harbor the disease-causing bacteria. These ticks can be found in grassy, wooded, or marshy areas while hiking or camping, or even in our own backyards.

Immature ticks (larva and nymph life stages) become infected when they feed on the blood of infected wildlife. Infected nymphs or adult female ticks can then spread the bacteria when they take their next blood meal, provided they feed on their animal or human “host” for at least 24-48 hours, which means it is important to remove the tick as soon as possible after attachment.

Depending on their life stage, ticks may not be easily seen on pets, for although adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed—and even bigger when full of blood, nymphs are smaller (about the size of a poppy seed).

I have had two goldens and brush them each night before bed mainly to get the dust and the tangles out. I thought I’d be able to sight ticks while doing this. I was wrong. During a wellness exam, our vet discovered that our first golden had been exposed to a tick. Our dog was put on a course of antibiotics. Thank goodness she had been on preventatives! She was fine. The density, thickness, and color of most dogs’ coats can prevent us from seeing ticks. So, my take away here is PREVENTIVE MEDICATIONS, TICK CHECKS and VETERINARY EXAMS all count!

It’s been often thought that ticks are most active from early spring through fall, but climate change and other variations have made veterinary science realize that year-round protection is necessary.

Signs and Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs

Evidence of the disease typically presents 2-5 months after the dogs were first infected. By this time, the disease has spread throughout the body.

The illness can take many forms. The most common signs: intermittent limping or lameness, fever, loss of appetite, decreased activity, swollen lymph nodes, painful and swollen joints.

Some dogs with Lyme also may develop a type of kidney disease called Lyme nephritis, which can lead to edema, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes death.

How is Lyme disease diagnosed and treated?

Blood tests are available that quickly show whether a dog has been exposed to the Borrelia bacteria. The standard treatment is a 30-day course of antibiotics. A longer course may be necessary for some dogs, such as those with Lyme nephritis.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine recommends testing any dog living in or recently visiting a Lyme endemic area for antibodies. This is typically done as part of the annual wellness visit. The point is to identify infected dogs in order to catch the potential for Lyme disease symptoms in the future.

How can I protect my dog against Lyme disease?

The best way to protect dogs against Lyme disease is to
take preventive measures
to reduce the chance of tick bites, and of catching the disease if bitten.

• Use reliable tick-preventive products as recommended by your veterinarian.
• Ask your veterinarian whether your dog could benefit from vaccination against Lyme disease.
• When possible, avoid tick-prone spots like tall grasses, marshes, and wooded areas. If hiking on trails with your dog, stick to cleared trails and avoid brushing against overhanging branches or shrubs.
• After possible exposure, you might try using the TiCK MiTT on your pet. It contains fibers similar to Velcro that snag many ticks before they embed. You simply swipe the mitt over your dog’s fur. Note that It is less effective on very dense, curly fur.
• Examine your pet for ticks immediately after returning home from any tick-prone spots and carefully remove any ticks found. Make your yard unfriendly to ticks by mowing grasses, trimming bushes, and removing brush.
• Perform daily “tick checks” of all pets and people in your home, especially during high-risk seasons (spring through fall).

Sources cited:

• Veterinary Information Network
• American Veterinary Medical Association