Alek G.
02/28/2022
How terrible do the words Lyme disease sound? Lyme disease in dogs is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted through the bite of a tick and affects not only dogs but also humans, horses, cats, and domestic animals. There are at least four known species of ticks that can transmit Lyme disease, but the great majority get transmitted to humans through bites from black-legged or deer ticks.
If you’ve found a tick on your dog’s body, it’s important to know that not all ticks are infections. Only when a tick carries bacteria, your furry friend can become infected. Other complications may occur when the tick falls off the Frenchie’s body, but the legs of it remain buried in the dog’s skin. In that case, a dog can cause an infection by scratching the spot.
When a tick attaches to a dog’s body, it needs approximately 2 days to transmit the bacteria. Therefore, tick removal is essential, however, you should not do it by yourself. Tick removal must be performed by a vet. He/she has the appropriate equipment and knows how to properly remove it without leaving the tick’s head or legs inside the dog’s skin.
Even though your dog can get ticks throughout the year depending on the climate in your country, the tick season is at its peak during the spring and fall.
Many dogs can have Lyme disease for a long time without showing any symptoms. And when the symptoms reveal, they’re reflected by fever, appetite loss, swollen joints, lameness, and swollen lymph nodes.
Performing blood testing is not very helpful, so vets usually search for signs of fever and lameness. When a dog is infected by Lyme disease, it may take up to 4 weeks to develop antibodies. Therefore, a blood test can be useful in cases when a dog suffers from this condition for at least several weeks.
Fortunately, Lyme diseases can be treated by antibiotics. An infected Frenchie can feel better after the first round of drugs, however, in some cases, the second round is also needed. A dogs’ limbs and joints show a positive reaction to antibiotics very fast, but often additional therapy is needed. Lyme disease in dogs can leave consequences to the heart, kidneys, and other organs. In extreme cases, some dogs can even develop permanent chronic joint pains.
Your vet will decide which antibiotic will work best in treating Lyme disease, and in most cases, ticks are sensitive to azithromycin and amoxicillin.
The development of symptoms depends on the dog’s immunity. If your furry friend has a strong immune system, then symptoms may be absent for up to 5 months. When this disease is caught early, issues with kidneys and heart can be prevented.
Lyme disease in dogs consists of three stages: early localization, early dissemination, and late dissemination. The stages of a bull’s-eye rash (which is the first symptom) can overlap, and not all patients go through every stage. The most common signs that a dog has been infected with Lyme disease are usually itchiness and fever according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
As we previously mentioned, not all dogs show the same symptoms. However, if the symptoms are present, they include visible redness at the place of infection, itchiness, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
Bacteria begins to spread and the severity of symptoms increases:
The effects of Lyme disease can be devastating, especially if it isn’t treated early on. If your dog gets bitten by a tick and experiences any symptoms at all—from minor aches and pains to more severe pain in the legs, then you should seek medical attention right away! Without treatment, late disseminated (post-treatment chronic)Lyme may develop weeks/months after infection.
Besides chronic arthritis, symptoms such as neurological disorders and cardiorespiratory problems can also occur.
Luckily, there are many ways to keep your dog safe from ticks. Besides protective collars, you can buy different sprays, oils, and ask your vet for a vaccine. Vaccine against ticks is recommended in areas where Lyme disease commonly occurs.
To get rid of these pests we recommend bathing with a shampoo containing medications that will kill any attached ticks on contact; this method is labor-intensive but inexpensive during peak season (as opposed to spot treatments). You should repeat the process about every two weeks because not all ingredients will last long because dry climate affects their effectiveness.
It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to downing with pesky insects like fleas and ticks. If you don’t want these pests in your backyard, trimming back the overgrowth can help reduce their numbers! Consider asking for professional assistance by spraying off any weeds or applying treatments from animal hospitals near yours – they know what’s best for everyone’s health including ours. 😉
Source: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Lyme Disease article
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