Lyme
disease in dogs
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Lyme disease (Borreliosis)
in dogs and humans is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It
is primarily spread through the bite of an infected tick including the deer
tick and black-legged tick. It is also possible to spread Lyme disease
through other biting insects including fleas or through contact with
infected bodily fluids.
Since ticks are prevalent in woodland areas, dogs in Lyme
disease and tick infested areas can be vaccinated annually and insecticides
can be administered to kill ticks. In addition, physically checking
for and removing ticks whenever a dog has been outside is very effective
since it takes approximately 24 hours for a tick to transmit the disease as
it sucks blood. Infected nymph and adult ticks look for hosts
primarily in the spring and fall so these are the times when dogs are most
at risk and when the greatest precautions to avoid long term tick contact
should be taken.
Signs of Lyme disease include lameness from painful or
swollen joints as the disease attacks the limbs and joints in addition to
internal organs such as the heart and kidneys. Other symptoms include
fatigue, fever, loss of appetite (healthy dogs are almost always ready to
eat) and swollen lymph nodes. Lyme disease can affect the renal,
cardiac and neurologic systems and can, in some cases (particularly renal)
prove fatal.
Treatment involves the use of antibiotics as required as
Lyme disease can be persistent. |
