Dog Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease. Although it is less common than the human form of this infection and also less common than tick-borne babesiosis in dogs, it is a serious disease that requires antibiotic treatment.

Lyme disease in dogsis a disease caused by spirochetes, i.e. bacteria Borrelia (in the species burgdorferi, afzelli and garinia). This is the same pathogen that attacks humans. It is transmitted by ticks, i.e. small arachnids, which, by jumping from plants to living organisms, pierce the skin and infect the affected organism.

In recent years, the number of ticks infected with borrelia and being its carriers has increased rapidly. It is estimated that even a quarter of these arachnids pose a threat to humans and animals. The infected ticks are present all over Poland and are active from early spring to late autumn. This means that you have to watch out for them almost all year round.

Contents:

    1. Lyme disease in dogs - symptoms
    2. Lyme disease in dogs - diagnosis
    3. Lyme disease in dogs - treatment
    4. Dog Lyme Disease - Prevention

Lyme disease in dogs - symptoms

Lyme disease, also called Lyme disease, is difficult to diagnose. The reason for this is that hersymptoms appear even several months(from two to five) after the tick bite and the moment of infection.

The most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs is a change in the behavior of the pet,who becomes sad and apathetic, loses his appetite and willingness to play.High temperature, up to 40 degrees Celsius, is also typical.C. After a few months, these symptoms developlameness and joint problems(swelling, problems with movement ) that can go back and reappear. This results in a chronic form of the disease whicheventually leads to degeneration.

Occasional symptoms associated with Lyme disease in dogs includeglomerulonephritis , which results in weight loss, vomiting and swelling of the paws. Another complication ishepatitis ,sometimes the meninges and heart muscle, limb paresis, and even epilepsy.This is because the joints, heart, brain and the meninges are organs that, due to the content of collagen fibers, aremost often attacked by borrelia.

U approx. 95 percent infected dogs Lyme disease produces no symptoms.

Lyme disease in dogs - diagnosis

Confirmation of Lyme disease in an animal with the characteristic symptoms is relatively simple:is a blood test.Veterinary surgeries have platelet tests that detect antibodies against bacteria. However, for them to appear at all, about a month must pass from the infection.

You can also test your dog's blood sample in the lab, which is more accurate but takes more time. However, it allows you to additionally determine at what stage of the disease the animal is.Presence of IgM antibodies and indicates a recent infection(these antibodies disappear after 3-4 months),presence of IgG, and the former(appear after month and stay in the blood longer). The presence of bacteria is also possible to be detected in the tick, if, of course, it has been kept for examination after removal from the skin.

Important

It is worth remembering that the presence of antibodies also occurs after vaccination, so when examining your dog for this disease, it is worth informing the doctor about the exact dates of administration of the vaccine.

Lyme disease in dogs - treatment

Like any bacteria, borrelia are also treated with an antibiotic . Doxycycline and amoxicillin are the most effective in the treatment of Lyme disease. The administration of the antibiotic should last about a month, but the first effects of the drug are visible after a few days: the dog's well-being recovers and the fever decreases. If necessarythe doctor may also decide on symptomatic treatment , i.e. giving the animal anti-inflammatory or kidney-supporting substances.

Read:Babesiosis in dogs - causes, symptoms, treatment

According to an expertdr inż. Jacek Wilczak, nutrition expert in the Noteć Valley, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

Diet of a dog suffering from Lyme disease

Tick-borne diseases most often manifest themselves in a sudden weakening of the body and a lack of appetite. As systemic diseases, they switch off individual body functions. The basic management is pharmacological treatment and focuses on removing pathogens.

Dietary management is introduced at the beginning of the appearance of the first symptoms of he alth improvement. It consists primarily in providing an easily digestible diet with an increased content of wholesome protein. Nutritional status, the marker of which is, among others increasing plasma albumin is the major rate-increasing factorreturn to physiological values.

The diet of the dog, especially during the convalescence period, should include sources of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, which is a factor that stimulates erythropoiesis. You should also remember to provide the right amount of carbohydrates, which guarantee the proper metabolic transformation of proteins and fats.

Worth knowing

Your dog's risk of contracting Lyme disease is reduced if the tick is quickly removed from your pet's body. It is best to do it within 48 hours, because after that time, the transmission of microorganisms into the blood takes place.

Read:How to safely remove a tick from a dog?

Dog Lyme Disease - Prevention

Contamination can be prevented by avoiding contact with ticks.All dogs in the tick season, i.e. from March to November, should be protected with repellants in the form of various preparations , e.g. a collar.

The protective collar is an effective preventive tool in the fight against ticks or fleas. It contains a carefully selected composition of essential oils that act additive and complementary. Thanks to this, they effectively discourage parasites from being in the company of animals.

The action of active substances that repel ticks allows for relatively safe walks, butafter each trip outside the dog it is worth checking and brushing your dogto check that he has not returned home from with a tick in the skin.

Thevaccine is the most effective Lyme disease prevention. The first dose can be given to the dog as early as 3 months of age, the next - 30 days later and 6 months later. The dog acquires immunity two weeks after taking the second dose. Unfortunately, vaccinations must be repeated (preferably at the end of winter), because they do not provide protection for life. Pregnant female dogs can also be vaccinated.

About the authorMałgorzata Wójcik The editor in charge of the website. Journalist with 25 years of experience. From the beginning, she was associated with the subject of children and he alth - she worked, among others. in the magazine "M jak mama". At mjakmama.pl, she specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. Privately - mother of three adolescent children. He is eager to read and walks in the woods with his dog.

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