Lyme disease in dogs

Who gets Lyme disease? 

Mostly we see Lyme disease in dogs. It is occasionally seen in cats but is not understood in them as well so this article will focus mainly on Lyme disease in dogs. 

How do dogs get Lyme disease? 

A dog gets becomes infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease) when B. burgdorferi enters tissue of the dog from the hard shelled, deer tick feeding on it. 

What type of tick can transmit Lyme disease?

The only two tick species in Northern America that have been proved to pass on infection are the Eastern black-legged tick (deer tick) and the Western black-legged tick. 

(American Lyme Disease Foundation.) 



Human 

Once a dog is bitten by an infected tick, B. burgdorferi enters the tissue. It takes approximately 24-48 hours of feeding from the tick before it can actually be passed on to a dog (or a human). Thankfully it is rare that ticks pass back and forth from dog to people and vice versa. 

Presentation and signs of infection in dogs.

Dogs typically do not present to the vet clinic with severe signs. They are sometimes so mild that the vet, the staff and owner do not even know there is a problem. When a dog suffers a severe case of infection the signs can be fever, lethargy, depression and even enlarged lymph nodes. Dog will typically present with lameness with severe infection. They may shift lameness from one leg to another and present with swollen joints. 

Other symptoms associated with Lyme disease include:

• Stiff walk with an arched back


• Sensitive to touch


• Difficulty breathing


• Fever, lack of appetite, and depression may accompany inflammation of the joints


• Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the infecting tick bite may be swollen


• Heart abnormalities are reported, but rare; they include complete heart block


• Nervous system complications (rare)


• Kidney failure

Diagnosing Lyme disease.

This can be complicated. Positive blood tests for B.  burgdorferi are often used along with clinical signs but are not a definite diagnosis. Dogs can have a positive Lyme test if they’ve been vaccinated for Lyme’s disease and dogs that do not show signs can still have a positive test result. Coupled together can make it difficult to confirm true cases. Today, most veterinary clinics have in-house Heartworm tests that include Lyme disease. If a dog has been previously exposed or vaccinated this test can show positive as well. It is best to discuss your options for further testing if your pet shows signs or positive on his/her Heartworm/Lyme test. 

Vaccinating for Lyme. Arizona does not routinely vaccinate for Lyme disease.

Vaccinating against Lyme is a good idea for those dogs that live in known Lyme disease areas. It is best to discuss this with your veterinarian.

Prevention. 

By taking preventative measures if you plan on traveling to high tick populations. Inspect your dog after hiking or walking in known tick regions. This is good practice to do whenever you take your dog with you on a walk or hike. Use a fine tooth pet comb or your fingers so that you can feel if there are any ticks. Remove ticks at once if you find them. Be careful when removing a tick from yourself or your dog. 

Wear gloves if possible so you don’t come into contact with them. 

Wash your hands thoroughly when done. 

How to remove a tick on your dog:

A monthly topical Spot on is highly recommended for pets if you live in an area that is known for Lyme disease or anywhere else that may have ticks.

Front Line Plus is just one veterinary recommended spot on and can now be found at your local Pet smart. 

Seek advice from your veterinarian and let them know if you have plans to travel to an area with known ticks. This summer has been an exceptionally warm one so keep in mind that we may be seeing higher findings of ticks this year. 

Preventic collar can be used alone or together with a topical spot on such as Frontline Plus. It kills ticks within the first 24 hours after being placed around your dog’s neck.

Lyme disease in people is very similar to Lyme disease in dogs. You can become infected from multiple or a single bite. For people, wear light-colored, protective clothing, covering exposed skin. Use repellant products that have been labeled for effectiveness against ticks.

Prevention and control are important in lowering your risk and your pet’s risk of Lyme disease. 

You can view an in-depth prevalence map of parasites and diseases by visiting the “Companion Animal Parasite Control” (CAPC) website at http://www.capcvet.org/. 62.24 % of all cases of Lyme disease in Arizona were in Maricopa County. 

Thanks pet friends and keep yourself, your dogs and your cats safe from Lyme disease! All year-round!

Thank you for being responsible pet owners! To schedule your pet’s exam call 480-987-4555