Home How Can Lyme Disease Impact My Dog?

How Can Lyme Disease Impact My Dog?

June 17, 2024 JOLLYES TEAM

Questions

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
Causes of Lyme disease
Treatment of Lyme disease
Living with Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a nasty infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transferred to humans and animals via the bite of an infected tick. It is thought to be carried by roughly 1.5% of ticks in the UK. The bacteria travels around the body in the bloodstream and can settle in joints or organs such as the kidneys. It can cause many different symptoms such as lameness, fever, lethargy, and joint stiffness. Lyme disease is more commonly seen in dogs than in cats.

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

Are you wondering “How do I know if my dog has Lyme disease?” Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose in dogs as often dogs that are infected don't show any clinical signs. Despite this, there are some signs and symptoms observant parents can watch out for.

Lameness - This is by far the most commonly seen sign. The lameness is often intermittent and can shift from one leg to another.

Joint swelling - Joints may swell up and become painful. They can feel hot to touch.
Fever - Your dog may develop a high temperature. This is often one of the first signs picked up by owners.
Lethargy - Your dog may become very tired and reluctant to move. They may sleep more than usual.
Loss of appetite - Your dog may suddenly lose interest in their food or refuse to eat.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes - It may be possible to see swollen lymph nodes near the site of the tick bite.
Neurological issues - in some rare circumstances, Lyme disease can affect the nervous system causing seizures and paralysis.
Kidney disease - In some cases, Lyme disease causes damage to the kidneys. Signs of kidney disease include excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

If your furry friend starts to show any of these signs, it’s very important to take them to your vet. Especially if you live in an area where Lyme disease is common. Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease make a huge difference in the prevention of serious health complications.

Causes of Lyme disease

The cause of Lyme disease in dogs is a bacteria named Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria gets into your dog’s system through a bite from an infected tick. The main tick to look out for is the deer tick, also called the black-legged tick. They’re commonly found to be carrying the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.

Dogs become infected when a tick latches onto them and bites them, feeding off their blood. They usually stay there for a day or two (unless they’re spotted and removed, or disturbed). The bacteria travels from the tick's saliva into your dog’s bloodstream. Once the bacteria is in the bloodstream, it can travel all around your dog’s body. Common places for the bacteria to start causing mayhem include your dog’s joints and kidneys. This is why we often see clinical signs associated with these parts of the body.

Treatment of Lyme disease

If you have just found out that your furry friend has caught Lyme disease, fret not. Your vet has ways to fight it and help your canine companion get back to normal.

Antibiotics - The first thing your vet will reach for is a course of antibiotics for your pup pal. They’ll usually prescribe a long course, lasting at least four weeks. The antibiotic of choice is normally doxycycline but other ones will work too. Your vet will pick the best one for your dog.
Pain relief - Lyme disease can cause your pup to become very uncomfortable with painful joints therefore your vet may prescribe some pain relief to give them some comfort.
Supportive care - depending on the severity of the case, your dog may need to be admitted to a pet hospital to receive intravenous fluids, pain relief and nutritional support.

This may all sound a little daunting but the good news is that early diagnosis and prompt treatment means that most dogs will recover from the disease very well. This is why it’s so important to consult your vet if you’re worried your furry friend may have Lyme disease as they’ll need treatment ASAP.

It’s important to remember that prevention is better than cure and using tick control treatment for your dog is the best way to prevent ticks from biting them and infecting them with the disease.

Living with Lyme disease

Living with a dog with Lyme disease can take some adjusting to. Fret not, with the right care and a few little lifestyle tweaks, your dog can go on to live a long and happy life.

It’s very important to attend all follow-up appointments with your vet and to give your dog the full course of medication. Your dog will usually require a long course of antibiotics, you must give them for the correct amount of time and make sure you stick to the prescribed schedule.

Your furry friend may require pain relief for a long time. Your vet will need to reassess them frequently to check they’e coping and are as comfortable as possible. Your vet may advise you to limit walkies for a while to minimise discomfort. Your vet may also suggest using joint supplements for long-term joint health.

You may be wondering what to feed a dog with Lyme disease. There isn't any specific diet you need to stick to, just make sure you’re feeding your pup a well-balanced and nutritious diet. This will support your dog's overall health and immune system during recovery.

Going forward, tick prevention is essential. Talk to your vet about antiparasite medication. They’ll be able to prescribe the most appropriate one for your canine companion. Always do a thorough ‘tick-check’ after every walk to make sure no ticks are trying to latch onto your dog and bite them. This is especially important after walking in areas with long grass and shrubs.

Lyme disease in dogs can be alarming for parents, but it is not all doom and gloom. With early detection and proper veterinary care, most pups go on to make a full recovery. The most important thing pet parents can do is to use tick control medication and be vigilant about checking your pup for ticks after walks. If your doggo does get infected, early diagnosis and prompt treatment make a big difference in their recovery. It’s important to take them to get checked out by your vet if you see a tick on your dog, or if they have any symptoms of Lyme disease. Your vet will always be happy to help.