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The growing season is upon us, and with the tall grass and thick brush comes the risk of a dog contracting Lyme disease.

Canine Lyme disease is carried by ticks. While the ticks don't directly cause the disease, they carry a bacterium called Borrelia that is brought up from the tick's digestive tract when it regurgitates blood. The process of regurgitation takes at least forty-eight hours, meaning that a quick removal of a tick prevents the bacterium from entering a dog's blood stream

Lyme disease attacks many areas of a dog's body, but the bacterium becomes entrenched in the joint areas. A dog may suddenly limp or come up lame, demonstrating the classic signs of arthritis. The limp or lameness suddenly appears and can shift between all four legs. Inflammation in the joints causes swelling and there may a resultant fever as high as 105 degrees (A dog's average body temperature is around 101). Other areas affected are the heart, kidneys, and the central nervous system.

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on three sets of data: clinical symptoms like lameness, blood testing, and risk of exposure. A working dog such as a border collie has a high risk of exposure, so it's recommended that a blood test be given to detect the bacterium. The bacterium can inundate a dog's body without the dog showing any symptoms. Sometimes, a dog can live with the bacterium without ever becoming ill.

Canine Lyme disease is treated with an intensive dosage of antibiotics. Amoxicillin attacks Borrelia, but veterinarians seem to prefer doxcycline since the antibiotic works against other tick diseases. The highest dose of antibiotics over the longest period of time is recommended by most veterinarians. Dosage amounts depend on the size of the dog. A dog of any size, however, must be able to tolerate an aggressive antibiotic regimen.

Holistic medicine is in the nascent stages of developing an alternative treatment for canine Lyme disease. There isn't a consensus among veterinarians that holistic treatments are as effective as a strict antibiotic regimen. If holistic treatment is ever sanctioned by veterinarians, it should be the preferred treatment method since the physical repercussions on a dog is substantially reduced.

After antibiotic treatment, a dog should be closely monitored to see if there is a significant decrease in antibody levels. A successful antibiotic treatment regimen will eliminate the symptoms in a relatively short period of time, usually within two weeks of the last dose.

Prevention is ultimately the best form of treatment. Minimize your dog's risk by assiduously checking for ticks during the spring and summer months. Consistent grooming of your dog will expose areas of the body that hide ticks. Consistent grooming is especially important for long hair breeds.

If you find a tick, remove it immediately and call your vet for a consultation and blood work. Tick prevention products are available in sprays and collars. Ask your vet for a recommendation on which product to purchase.

Learn more about this author, Keith Bailey.
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