Just How Serious Is Lyme Disease In Dogs?

Lyme disease refers to a disease that is caused by an organism known as a spirochete, which is a coiled rod-shaped bacterium and named Borrelia burgdorferi. This is passed to people and dogs by deer ticks carrying the infection and the ticks get the infection from the white-footed mouse, which acts as a carrier. In order for a tick to transmit the bacteria, the only way is to remain attached to the animal’s skin for one to two days. These ticks, unfortunately are very small and easily can go unnoticed. Aside from being found worldwide, Lyme disease in dogs have been found in ancient Chinese medical literature they actually describe a syndrome very similar to Lyme disease, thousands of years before Lyme , Connecticut was named. More than 90% of these cases in the United States occur in the Northeast, with California and Mississippi second. Lyme disease are rarely seen in cats although some cats have been infected with it but this disease is fairly common in dogs. A sudden yet recurring lameness that may shift from leg to leg is one example of the main clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs. There are times when this lameness is associated with a fever and depression. Swollen lymph nodes is what you will occasionally see. The joints may be swollen sometimes and they feel warm and it’s very painful. When the dog is infected, he will usually walk stiffly with a hunched back. Lyme disease in dogs are commonly very sensitive to touch and may cry out with even the slightest touch and they are also very painful. Many dogs with Lyme disease that were diagnosed with slipped discs in their neck and crying in pain and it was actually Lyme disease causes muscle spasms in the neck and they only improved when they were administered the appropriate antibiotic. The classic red round target lesion around a tick bite on your pet is what you will sometimes see and within a few days they may show the signs of lameness, fever and sensitivity to touch. Take your pet immediately to the vet for treatment if you suspect him to have Lyme disease. Treatment The use of an appropriate antibiotic, such as doxycycline, for at least three to four weeks, is involved in the treatment. The prognosis Two or three days after beginning treatment, dogs should start to show signs of recovery. 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. How to Prevent it There is a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme disease. Also, because the tick must remain attached to the dog’s body for one to two days before the disease can be transmitted, quick removal of a tick will also help to prevent Lyme disease. Because they can be an effective way to prevent the disease, you should consult with a veterinarian about the different tick prevention products that are available. The sooner your pet will be without pain the sooner you start treatment.
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