Canine Lyme disease can cause problems in various parts of your dog’s body. It can affect his kidneys, heart, and joints if it is left untreated. The disease can occur in almost any part of the country, but mainly occurs in certain regions. These regions include the upper Mississippi, California, northeastern states, and some southern states.
Cause
This disease is transmitted to your dog when he is bitten by a tick. The tick is infected with a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick must stay attached to your dog’s skin for one or two days before the bacteria can be transmitted.
Symptoms
Dogs with canine Lyme disease will show a variety of symptoms. One of the main symptoms is limping, usually with one of his forelegs. This limping will hardly be noticeable at first, but will get much worse within three to four days. Dogs with canine Lyme disease will also have swelling in the lymph nodes of the affect limb. Many dogs will also have a high fever and a loss of appetite.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of this condition can be made by performing a blood test that will show the presence of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. A veterinarian can also make a diagnosis based upon the dog’s symptoms and history. If the dog was fine a few days ago but suddenly has a fever and swollen lymph nodes, it is possible that it may be due to canine Lyme disease.
Treatment
This disease can successfully be treated before any permanent nerve or joint damage has been done if it is diagnosed in time. Antibiotics are the main method of eliminating the disease. These medicines are given for at least three weeks. The veterinarian may also prescribe aspirin if the dog is in a lot of pain.
Prognosis
Dogs with canine Lyme disease will generally begin to recover within three days of being given treatment. In some cases, the disease may recur within a few weeks or months. If this happens, the dog will have to take another round of antibiotics for an extended period of time.
Prevention
The best way to prevent canine Lyme disease is for your dog to be vaccinated against the disease. You may also prevent it by quickly removing the tick from the dog’s skin. As stated earlier, the tick must stay attached to the dog’s skin for one or two days for the bacteria to be transmitted.