Dogs (as well as humans) contract Lyme disease, also known as the Great Imitator for its similarity to other illnesses, when an attached deer tick transmits the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. The illness is painful and incapacitating to the infected host, but fortunately, canine Lyme disease treatments are simple and inexpensive when we catch symptoms at early onset.
Canine Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose; therefore, recognizing the transmission habits, symptoms, treatments and preventative measures are vital and equally important to the health of our dogs.
The Basics of Lyme Transmission
Blame it all on the white footed mouse. This mouse is a carrier of the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, which transmits to young ticks when they attach at an early stage of life. The young ticks become carriers of the disease and silently latch onto our dogs, or us, when they are ready for the next seasonal meal, thus infecting our blood with the bacterium.
Young ticks are often the size of a pencil dot, so they are hardly visible under the fur of our dogs. The consensus for time of transmission is that the infected tick must feed for 24 to 48 hours to transmit the disease to its host. However, some suggest this may only take 5 hours. Always do a thorough check for ticks on your dog, and yourself, after spending time outdoors, especially in endemic areas.
If your dog has Lyme disease, you cannot catch the disease from your dog, or vice versa. Lyme disease transmits directly from one carrier to the host and is not contagious between infected animals.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Abby, our 10-month-old hound mix, made a late night visit to the veterinarian after a day of lying around and refusing to eat. The symptoms seemed mild at first, but the vet visit showed a fever of 105, swollen lymph nodes and deep lethargy. We discussed all of the endless possibilities and the outlook was dim, but everyone hoped it was an ordinary virus. Our only options were to treat the fever and keep her well hydrated until finding the right diagnosis.
Two days later, Abby started limping, ever so slightly, in one front leg. The limp was barely noticeable, came and went throughout a few hours. This is when we knew she had contracted Lyme disease and immediately started treatment with help from the vet.
The symptoms of canine Lyme disease are vague and often appear as an autoimmune disorder. Common symptoms are fever, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain or swelling, and limping.
The disease can incubate in the dog's system for months before presenting any symptoms. Some dogs show none of the immediate symptoms and suddenly begin limping without injury. Blood tests for Lyme disease are not conclusive because a dog exposed to the disease can avoid becoming sick and others test negative while obviously displaying the symptoms. There is no wonder why Lyme disease is called the Great Imitator.
If you suspect your dog may have Lyme disease, please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to begin the recommended course of treatment.
Treatment Options
Tests for Lyme disease are not always conclusive, but your veterinarian may recommend treatment if symptoms from tick borne illness are present. Thankfully, treatment for canine Lyme disease is usually easier than with humans.
A strong course of antibiotics is the initial treatment for suspected Lyme disease. The most common medications used are Doxycycline, Tetracycline and Amoxicillin. The antibiotic must start immediately to prevent deterioration from the illness. A dog can quickly lose ability to walk when it was merely limping two days beforehand.
With introduction of the antibiotic, symptoms usually disappear within 48 hours. The responsible bacteria tend to hide throughout the body, resist treatment and slowly regenerate; thus, antibiotic treatments should continue for at least three weeks to one month.
With severe symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend something to ease the pain of joint tenderness. Aspirin is used to ease pain and lower the fever, but always consult your veterinarian prior to giving aspirin to your dog. Never offer Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen or any other medications intended for humans to an animal. Steroids, such as Prednisone, are strongly discouraged as they may interfere with the immune response.
Homeopathic remedies are available for Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses. These treatments are possibly ineffective and seem much more expensive than pharmaceutical treatment. Homeopathic remedies are offered online in the form of herbal and vitamin supplements, but please consult your regular veterinarian or a holistic veterinarian for proper treatment and recommendations.
Dr. Schoen, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian, recommends antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease in addition to supplements for boosting the immune system. He suggests using acidophilus, the healthy bacteria found in yogurt, to boost the dog's immune system. He also uses Chinese herbal supplements for immunity boost. Always consult your veterinarian for proper treatment and do not attempt to treat Lyme disease at home without medical help.
Lyme disease is easy to treat in dogs, but rare instances lead to worse problems and conditions. Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the neurological system (the brain) or the kidneys. Once the disease reaches the kidneys, it is Lyme nephritis. There is no cure for Lyme nephritis, but treatments are available to ease the pain and prolong the life of your dog. Always seek treatment if you suspect Lyme disease as the disease can progress into something harder to manage, or in rare cases, death.
Lyme disease can present symptoms once treatment is completed. Vets are unsure if this is from another exposure to the illness or if the disease regenerated. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is helpful to reduce the risk of regeneration, but antibiotics cannot be used as a preventative measure.
Long-term effects of Lyme disease are possible. The bacteria can permanently damage the joints and muscle tissue within a dog. This is not common, especially when treated early, but you may notice arthritic symptoms later in the dog's life.
Prevention
Many dogs are exposed to Lyme disease without becoming ill with infection. Other dogs recover on their own from infection, though this is not common. If you suspect a tick borne illness, seek medical attention for the best chances of full recovery.
Tick bite prevention is difficult in endemic areas, such as the northeast of the United States, where the name of Lyme originated. Thoroughly check your dog, and yourself, for ticks following time outdoors. Use tweezers to remove the tick and ensure the head of the tick does not remain intact with the skin. Dispose of ticks in rubbing alcohol.
Topical medications are available to ward off the ticks. Frontline Plus is the most effective, in our experience, in keeping ticks at bay. Never use multiple insect repellants at one time, for this is poisonous. Tick collars are useful, but do not keep ticks from biting the animal.
Vaccinations against Lyme disease are available, but their efficacy is strongly debated. Many people feel that the side effects are far more dangerous than catching and treating the disease. One must weigh the pros and cons of the vaccine to make an adequate decision.
Canine Lyme disease is scary during the process of finding a diagnosis, but it is simple to treat when the symptoms readily present themselves. Always seek medical attention if you suspect Lyme disease so that treatment can begin before the disease progresses to something more serious. Keep a watchful eye for ticks and symptoms of tick borne illness to identify Lyme disease before it requires intensive treatments.