Lyme disease in dogs is one of the foremost common tick-transmitted diseases within the world. However, it solely causes symptoms in ten percent of affected dogs. Your pooch is infected with this zoonotic disease, the dominant clinical feature is perennial limping, thanks to inflammation of the joints and a general feeling of uncomfortableness. There can also be depression and an absence of hunger. Additional serious complications embody injury to the kidneys and heart or systema nervosum unwellness. Transmission of zoonotic diseases has been frequently reported in dogs and is most rife within the higher midwestern states, the Atlantic seaside, and also the Pacific coastal states. However, the illness is spreading and becoming more common throughout the US.

Symptoms of Zoonotic Disease

Dogs show perennial limping thanks to inflammation of the joints as mentioned before. Generally the limping last for 3 to 4 days. However, it re-occurs within a few days or weeks; in the same or alternate legs. This can be referred to as “shifting-leg limping.” One or additional joints could also be swollen and painful.

Glomerulonephritis—inflammation and incidental malfunctioning of the kidney’s glomeruli (essentially, a blood filter) are also among the fatal symptoms associated with the disease.

Kidney disease might set in because the dog begins to exhibit such signs as stomach reflex, diarrhea, lack of craving, weight loss, magnified micturition and thirst, and abnormal fluid build-ups.

Symptoms

  • Stiff and reluctant to walk with an arched back
  • Denies contact in certain parts, especially joints
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Fever, lack of appetite, and depression
  • Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the infecting tick bite may be swollen
  • Heart abnormalities are reported, but they are rare
  • Nervous system complications – very rare

 Lyme Disease Causes in Dogs

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete (bacteria) of the Borrelia burgdorferi species. Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted by slow-feeding, hard-shelled deer ticks (Ixodes spp.). Infection generally happens when the Borrelia-carrying tick has infested the dog for a minimum of forty-eight hours.

Diagnosing Lyme Disease in Dogs

You will have to be compelled to provide a thorough history of your dog’s health to your vet. Your vet might run some combination of blood chemistry tests, a whole blood cell count, urinalysis, X-rays, fecal examinations, and tests specific to diagnosis zoonotic disease (e.g. serology). Fluid from the affected joints can also be collected for analysis.

Treating Lyme Disease in Dogs

If your dog is suffering from Lyme disease then the poor pooch is treated as an associate patient unless their condition is unstable (e.g. severe excretory organ disease).

Doxycycline is the commonest antibiotic that is prescribed for Lyme disease. However, alternative dog antibiotics are obtainable and are highly effective.

The counseled treatment length is sometimes a minimum of four weeks, and longer courses could also be necessary in some cases. Your vet can also prescribe pain treatments for dogs i.e. NSAIDS, if your dog is particularly uncomfortable and suffering from pain. Unfortunately, antibiotic treatment doesn’t continually and utterly eliminate infection with Borrelia burgdorferi microorganism. Symptoms might get treated but can return later and chances of kidney failure are also there. Hence, antibiotics should be dosed in a proper way.

Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs With PetCareSupplies

Preventing Lyme disease means preventing tick infestations. To prevent ticks you need to regularly administer tick and flea treatments like Frontline Plus, Bayopet Killtix collar, and Ultrum Ultimate long-lasting Spray. Also, ensure that you keep checking your pooch continuously for any tick infestations, and if you find any tick attached on your Fido’s skin, use a pair of tweezers to remove the creepy critter.