Lyme Disease

Lyme disease in dogs is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in the world. Although it is the most common disease, only 5 to 10 percent of dog infections result in this disease. The bacteria of the disease appear symptoms. When infected with Lyme disease, the main clinical features include lameness, joint swelling, and fever. Depression and loss of appetite may also be present. More serious complications include kidney damage and, rarely, heart or neurological disease.

Lyme disease has been reported in dogs throughout the United States and Europe, but is most prevalent in the upper Midwestern states and the Atlantic and Pacific coast states. However, the disease is spreading and becoming more common throughout the United States.

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs:

Clinical signs may not appear for several months after a dog is infected with Lyme disease. In fact, many dogs do not show any obvious clinical signs at all. When signs of infection are noticed, they may include the following:

1. Walking stiffly with a curved back

2.Touch sensitivity

3. Difficulty breathing

4. Fever, loss of appetite and depression

5. Superficial lymph nodes near the infected tick bite site may be swollen

6. Report cardiac abnormalities, but they are rare

7. Nervous system complications (rare)

8.Joint pain

How to Diagnose Lyme Disease in Dogs:

Some tests can identify the organism Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood or tissue. Additionally, a test (called a quantitative C6 antibody test or QC6 antibody test) can measure antibody levels to help veterinarians determine treatment options. However, many veterinarians use in-hospital SNAP testing to test for Lyme disease. The SNAP test is a set of quick, convenient blood tests that can be tested at your pet hospital.

There are various SNAP tests for different purposes:

SNAP Heartworm RT Test: Screens for heartworm infection

SNAP 3Dx Test: Simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis (another tick-borne disease that can affect dogs)

SNAP 4Dx Test: Simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis (also a tick-borne disease that can cause illness in dogs)

The SNAP test is very accurate and is a good way to identify those who may be infected with these diseases. The SNAP test is also very convenient because it uses a very small amount of blood and only takes a few minutes to complete. Sending blood to an outside laboratory for testing may be as reliable and trustworthy as in-hospital SNAP testing.

In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend additional testing to follow up on test results or to look for evidence of other illnesses related to heartworm disease or tick-borne infections. Testing may involve additionalA blood sample is sent to the laboratory for further analysis or other diagnostic tests are performed to obtain more information about the dog's condition (blood chemistry test, complete blood count, urinalysis, fecal examination, X-ray and diagnostic Lyme disease specific Check)

Treatment of Lyme disease:

Treatment of Lyme disease usually involves the administration of antibiotics and, if needed, other medications to temporarily help control joint pain and other clinical symptoms. Some dogs show significant improvement after just a few days of antibiotic treatment, but most veterinarians now recommend 28 to 30 days of treatment. Unfortunately, antibiotic treatment does not always completely eliminate an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Symptoms may subside only to return later and cause problems such as kidney disease in the future, but proper use of antibiotics reduces the likelihood of chronic consequences.

Preventing Lyme Disease:

There is currently no vaccine that protects dogs from other tick-borne diseases. A combination of appropriate in vitro deworming control and regular testing may be the best way to help protect dogs from these diseases, here are some tips:

Check dogs (and humans) frequently for ticks. They should be dealt with promptly.

Use reliable external anthelmintics.

If possible, avoid tall grass or wooded areas.

If owners regularly take their dogs camping or walking in wooded areas, they should inform their veterinarian of this possible mode of exposure.