Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Dogs suffer from diseases that are more or less similar to humans. Obesity, arthritis, heart diseases that affect a Homo sapiens also trouble our canine friends. One of the disease that affect man and dogs is the Lyme disease.

Dogs get infected with Lyme disease through deer ticks who are carriers of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. These bacteria are a type of spirochete, that is, appear coiled under the microscope. These bacteria are found in three known species of ticks. The disease is named after the village of Lyme, Connecticut, as this was the first place with a major outbreak of Lyme disease. The tick attaches itself to any part of the dog's body. it often bites the dog on the head, ears, neck or feet. The tick bites cause very little irritation and pain to the dog. Most dogs do not show any signs of distress when infected with ticks.

Lyme disease in dogs commonly affects dogs living in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states like New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire. It also affects dogs in the midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Dogs in the coastal states of Maine and North Carolina are also found to be susceptible to Lyme disease. It is found that dogs living in California and Oregon are more prone to Lyme disease infection. Let us understand the various symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
The first visible canine Lyme disease symptoms in dogs are exhibited several weeks or months after the initial bacterial infection. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are as follows:

• High fever
  
• Limping
  
• Inflammation of the joints
  
• Lethargy
  
• Lymphadenopathy, that is, swollen Lymph Nodes
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Myocarditis
  
• Glomerulonephritis
  
• Severe muscle pain.

Sometimes, a circular inflamed skin may be observed around the tick bite. It is many times difficult to spot due to the dog's coat. Lyme disease symptoms in dogs have a cyclic pattern and may reoccur several times as the diseases progresses. Depending on the stage of the disease, the veterinarian may prescribe the treatment for Lyme disease in dogs. Not all dogs respond to the Lyme disease medications and treatments in a similar manner. Thus, it is best to let the doctor decide the best treatment after your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms of Lyme disease. If Lyme disease is not treated on time, it may lead to paralysis in your dog. The front and hind limbs are the first to be affected by Lyme disease. The disease then spreads to the respiratory muscles leading to asphyxiation in the dog.

These were all about Lyme disease symptoms in dogs. There are three Lyme disease vaccines for dogs available to prevent an infection. You can also administer anti-tick treatment to your dog to decrease the chances of Lyme disease in dogs. If there is any change in your dog's behavior, consult the veterinarian and decide the best measure for the dog health. Maintain proper hygiene of your dog. A healthy dog leads to a happy owner!