Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs

Do you know that early detection of  Common Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs can help you take fast treatment steps to save the life of your dog?

That's what I am talking about, some dog owners still could not ascertain when their dogs have Lyme Disease at all stages, probably they may not know the actual symptoms or some may have not even heard of Lyme Disease In Dogs.

But the truth is! Lyme Disease is a dangerous pathology in dogs since symptoms will only manifest in about 10% of affected dogs. Could you believe that thousands of dogs die daily as a result of the disease?

Over 30,000 Lyme Disease cases are being reported and documented every year at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But as serious as the cases of Lyme Disease are, thousands of dogs are been saved daily as a result of early understanding and detection of Lyme Disease Symptoms.

I am not writing this post to scare you, but honestly Lyme Disease is a serious issue that every dog owners have to worry about and if you must assist your dog to live a happy and healthy long life, then you have to go extra miles to get full knowledge of things happening and going wrong with your dog.

This post will not just uncover all the Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs you need to know but will also tell you more about the disease. But before we dive in, let's get to know what really is Lyme Disease In Dogs.

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LYME DISEASE.
This is a condition caused by Borrelia burgdorferi an organism that can be transmitted to any dog through a tick bite.

The disease spreads primarily during May to August popularly known as tick season.

Ticks: Are small arachnids, about 3 to 5 mm long and belong to the subclass Acari. They feed and survive on the blood of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Ticks are always active as long as the temperature is not below freezing and Dogs are most commonly affected in most cases.

Humans are also affected by Lyme disease but the condition cannot be transmitted directly from Dogs to Humans. But in some cases, ticks can be attached to humans when a dog transports unattached ticks.

Studies have it that 95% Lyme disease in humans were diagnosed in about fourteen states, including; Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,  Minnesota, New York,  Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

How To Identify Ticks.
What Ticks Look Like?; One Major Problem Dog owners face with Ticks is that they are very difficult to see.

However, Ticks have a hard shell, eight legs, no antennae, with the mouth region directly attached to the shell.

Ticks have tiny nymphs just about the length of 2mm. But their bodies become swollen and more noticeable when they feed.

That is to say carefully looking at your dog's skin, you can find them strongly attached. Another issue you might have is removing the ticks.

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How To Remove Ticks From Dogs: Removing a tick is made easy with a special instrument and you can obtain this from your vet.

It is not advisable to remove a tick without using a tool, because if you do so without a device you might even infect your dog further with partially digested blood from the tick and this is dangerous to your dog's health.

Make sure you protect your hands by putting on rubber gloves.
With a steadily pull the tick away from your dog's skin. Do not crush the tick.

After removal, use warm water and soap to clean up your dog's skin.

How Does Dogs Get Infected With Lyme Disease?

I have read online where someone misunderstood Lyme Disease to be one which could result from Human Foods Dogs Eat, lol, this is so funny.

But Lyme Disease can be transported by hard (thick)-shelled ticks and they can be found all over the country but more predominant in some part.

A tick can strongly stick onto any part of your dog's body but they are predominantly found on the belly of your dog.

As a routine, you should check out for ticks at least once daily to be sure no ticks are caught.

Ticks can transmit its infectious spiral-shaped organism at a minimum of 48 hours.

Risk.
Dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages can be affected by Lyme Disease.

It is very risky to allow your dog to spend more time outside in an environment which is prevalent to the disease.

The same ticks that infect dogs can also transport Lyme disease to humans.

READ ALSO: Healthy Human Foods Dogs Can Eat

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs?
There can be difficulty in detecting Symptoms of Lyme disease since they vary and for the fact that signs of the disease may not be visible after several months of infection.

Different system and organs of the body can be affected if a dog is infected with Lyme disease.

However, I have taken time list down the most common symptoms associated with the disease and these include;

1. Recurrent joints Pain that could last up to 3 to 4 days.

2. Loss of appetite.

3. Depression.

4. Stiffness or Reluctant to movement.

5. Tenderness and swollen joints.

6. Body and Limbs pains.
7. Fatigue.

8. Fever.

9. Swollen lymph nodes

In Severe Cases, at this point, the disease might be life-threatening.

10. Acute Renal Disease

11. Heart Failure (or Disease)

12. CNS disorders (Central Nervous System)

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See Video

NOTE: Your dog may present symptoms that comes and goes away and at times he might display a range of mild to severe symptoms, you have to be vigilant to properly observe and alert your vet as soon as you notice any of these, for quick action to save your dog.

How To Diagnose Lyme disease In Dogs.
There are tests veterinarians use to asses your dog for any antibodies to Lyme disease.

The body naturally develops antibodies to defend and fight the organism, and a blood parasitic screening result that is positive is an indicator that your dog is infected and there could be the need for other medical exams to be carried out.

Which Include:

–  chemistry tests should be conducted to check the pancreas, liver, and kidney.
– Lyme antibody levels check to monitor response to medication.
– Fecal parasitic analysis.
– Full blood count.
– Check Electrolyte.
– Urine analysis
– Check the thyroid Gland for abnormalities
– Check for abnormal heart rhythms with an ECG.

Treatment Of Lyme Disease In Dogs.
After confirming your dog is positive to the disease, the next step is for your vet to provide the necessary treatments your dog needs.

Always note that early detection and the level of severity determines the outcome of the treatment.

Some of the treatments may include several weeks on antibiotics like doxycycline (mostly prescribed) and follow up monitoring until your dog is as well as normal.

Can Dogs Spread Lyme Disease?

It's not a bad idea to check up your self if your dog has tested positive to the disease.

Although, It’s rear and may not be possible to contract Lyme disease directly from dogs.

But, only if the ticks that got your dog infected may have been exposed to your house. Or maybe it was attached to you around the environment where your dog got it from.

READ ALSO: If Your Dog Shows These Symptoms, Know That He Is Having Mange Disease

How To Prevent Your Dogs From Contracting Lyme Disease.
Checking your dog regularly for ticks is the easiest and simplest way to prevent your pet from contracting Lyme Disease, especially after a walk out.

Do not take your dog to an environment where you suspect that ticks are, places where you have long grass or marshland, these are common areas where ticks live.

Consider having ticks vaccines and treat your environment to prevent ticks from coming close to your dog.

Get some products that prevent ticks from attaching to your dog, some spray, collars, chewable and spot on.

Always consult your vet for prescriptions for your dog.

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