Canine Lyme Disease

Posted by | Posted on 1:51 AM

By Moses Wright

Canine lyme disease is caused by bacterial infection that is acquired through the bite of a tick. The name of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease is Borrelia burgdorferi.

Not all species of ticks can carry the bacteria that causes canine Lyme disease. Deer ticks are one species to take that most commonly causes Lyme disease infections. Deer ticks, being the size of a period on a printed page, are much smaller than the common dog ticks. Dogs can be bitten by dog ticks or deer ticks.

Dogs that become infected with canine Lyme disease develop severe joint pain. Dogs with Lyme disease will often limp especially with one front leg. Lyme disease can also cause lymph node swelling and of fever.

If the canine Lyme diseases left untreated, the dog may develop so much joint pain that it will refuse to move. This can occur within a few days of infection.

The dog's heart muscle and nerve tissue can also be adversely affected by the bacteria that causes the Lyme disease. Prompt treatment is important to minimize permanent damage.

A veterinarian will diagnose Lyme disease based on the dog's symptoms and medical history. Lyme disease is usually treated with antibiotics. A pain reliever may prescribed by the veterinarian for the dog's joint pain.

Canine Lyme disease is highly treatable. Only about five percent of the dogs that have contracted Lyme disease and have been treated will continue to have symptoms or permanent damage after treatment.

Joint pain, neurological difficulties, and heart problems are examples of signs of Lyme disease that may continue after treatment for some dogs. The Lyme disease may return after treatment in some cases.

Vaccinations for Lyme disease are available and can help prevent the disease. The vaccination is not one hundred percent effective. However, the vaccination is one of several possible preventative measures for canine Lyme disease.

Monthly flea and tick drops applied to the dog's skin are a common preventative measure against Lyme disease. The dogs skin and fur should be carefully check for ticks after the dog has been outside.

If the dog owner finds a tick on their dog, the dog owner should not panic. Not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The tick should be removed with tweezers as soon as possible to reduce the risk of transmission of any disease-causing bacteria.

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