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Name
Lyme Disease, Canine
Short Description
Lyme disease
Affected Animals: Dogs, cats, and humans.
Overview:
Without treatment, Lyme disease causes problems
in many parts of the dog's body, including the heart, kidneys, and
joints. On rare occasions, it can lead to neurological disorders.
Lyme disease most commonly is associated with symptoms such as a
high fever, swollen lymph nodes, lameness, and a loss of appetite.
Dogs get Lyme disease from a tick that passes the Borrelia
burgdorferi bacteria into the animal's bloodstream when it bites.
The tick must remain attached to the animal's skin for at least one
day before the bacteria can be transmitted.
The ticks, called Ixodes or deer ticks, generally are found in
specific regions of the United States: the northeastern states, the
upper Mississippi region, California, and certain areas in the
South. Like dogs, people can suffer from Lyme disease -- they, too,
catch it from ticks carrying the infection. Infected dogs do not
transmit the disease to humans. For both canines and humans, the
illness is treated by antibiotic medication.
Clinical Signs: Fever, lymphadenopathy, lameness, anorexia,
myocarditis, inflammatory joint disease, glomerulonephritis, and in
rare circumstances, neurologic disease.
Symptoms: A fever of more than 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit,
swollen lymph nodes, a lameness that sometimes shifts from one leg
to another, heart disease, inflamed joints, kidney disease, and
neurologic disease.
Description:
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called
Borrelia burgdorferi, which is passed to dogs through a bite from
the deer tick. The tick must remain attached to the dog's skin for
one to two days before the bacteria can be transmitted.
Lyme disease can be a multi-systemic illness, with signs that may
include fever, swollen lymph nodes, lameness, loss of appetite,
heart disease, inflamed joints, and kidney disease. Disorders of the
nervous system, while uncommon, may occur as well.
A vaccine is available to prevent dogs from developing Lyme disease,
although some controversy exists regarding its use. An owner should
consult with a veterinarian for vaccine recommendations.
Diagnosis: The veterinarian may be able to determine if a
dog has Lyme disease after performing a blood test that will show
exposure to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. In previously
vaccinated dogs, a special type of blood test must be performed to
differentiate between the vaccine and actual exposure to the
organism. Unfortunately, these tests do not provide a simple yes or
no answer. The veterinarian must evaluate the results along with the
dog's symptoms, and take into account whether the dog has been in an
area of the United States where Lyme disease is endemic, such as the
northeastern states, the upper Mississippi region, California, and
certain southern states. A positive response to treatment is also
important in making a final diagnosis.
Prognosis: Dogs should begin to show signs of recovery two
to three days after beginning treatment. However, the disease may
recur within a few weeks or months; in these cases, the dog will
need to return to antibiotic therapy for extended periods.
Transmission or Cause: Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi,
which is passed to dogs and people by deer ticks carrying the
infection; the ticks get the infection from the white-footed mouse,
which acts as a carrier. The only way a tick can transmit the
bacteria is to remain attached to the animal's skin for one to two
days. Unfortunately, these ticks are very small and easily can go
unnoticed.
Treatment: Treatment involves the use of an appropriate
antibiotic, such as doxycycline, for at least three to four weeks.
Prevention: There is a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme
disease. Quick removal of a tick also will help prevent Lyme disease
because the tick must remain attached to the dog's body for one to
two days before the disease can be transmitted. Consult with a
veterinarian about the different tick prevention products that are
available, as they can be an effective way to prevent the disease.
