Dogs
Lyme disease got its name from the city Lyme, Connecticut. Here, the first outbreak of this disease was monitored. A bacterium, called borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for this disease. This bacteria is transmitted by the bite of a tick. It is said that out of all the species of ticks, only three species are known to transmit this disease. According to research, Lyme disease in dogs is transmitted through the bite of a deer tick or a black-legged tick. Symptoms usually occur within a period of two to five months of the dog being bitten by a tick.
Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Limping (usually one fore leg) has been found to be one of the prominent symptoms that indicate Lyme disease. This is caused by the swelling of lymph-nodes in the affected limb. This condition is termed as lymphadenopathy. Dogs also suffer from high fever (101 to 102.5 degrees) and anorexia. Anorexia is defined as "a prolonged eating disorder due to loss of appetite".
Lyme disease causes swelling of the joints, and a sudden occurrence of lameness in dogs and they tend to become lethargic. The effect or pain of lameness is seen to shift from one leg to another. The legs aren't the only thing affected by the bacteria; the nervous system suffers as well. The dog may also experience a symptom known as myocarditis. This is a condition where the muscular tissue of the heart suffers inflammation. Glomerulonephritis could also be an indicative of canine Lyme disease. This symptom is characterized by decreased production of urine in the body. It is also clear by the presence of blood and protein in the urine. Glomerulonephritis is also characterized by swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities. This is known as edema.
There is a gradual rise in the degree of discomfort in dogs due to the disease. From a mild joint and muscle pain, the disease affects the animal in such a way that it refrains from any kind of movement. That is the reason we see most dogs being carried by their owners into a veterinary hospital.
The bacteria that triggers Lyme disease may remain dormant in some dogs for a certain period (for over a year in some cases). Then there will be a sudden outbreak of the symptoms of the disease. This is because of the fact that during the dormant period, the bacteria may have affected the dog's body in more than one way.
Prevention
The best method to protect your pets from this nasty disease is proper grooming. Regular dog grooming prevents infestation of ticks and other insects. A variety of products are available in the market for getting rid of ticks. Vaccinations are also available to protect your dogs from contracting the Lyme disease. However, re-vaccinations are a must to keep any health problems at bay.
Since Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, treatment involves use of antibiotics. The course of the treatment may vary in duration depending upon the severity of the disease. However, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease keeps matters from getting worse.
- Should Your Dog Get The Lyme Disease Vaccine?
By Ruthie Bently I have lived in southern Minnesota for almost twelve years now. We don’t usually see ticks of any kind before May, when the temperature warms enough up for them to become active; this year was the exception to the rule. After a ramble...
- Puppy Shots Schedule
A mother passes on a significant amount of antibodies to her litter, when she gives birth to them. These antibodies ensure that the puppies are able to combat most diseases, well on their own. But of course, they may not be enough to safeguard your...
- Lyme Disease Vaccine For Dogs
Canine Lyme disease is a serious dog illness caused due to infection by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is passed on the dogs through deer tick bites. For successful transmission of the bacteria, the tick has to remain in the dogs...
- Sick Dog Diagnosis
The word 'sick dog' does not tell you anything about the medical condition of the dog. Dog may become sick due to several reasons. Sickness in dogs may not be as evident as sickness in humans. The fact that a dog cannot communicate his discomfort...
- Gum Disease In Dogs
Very much like humans, there are gum diseases in dogs too. Dogs tend to suffer from gingivitis which means gum loss and periodontitis which means gum as well as bone loss. These gum diseases can have a negative impact on the dog's health. The...
Dogs
Canine Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease got its name from the city Lyme, Connecticut. Here, the first outbreak of this disease was monitored. A bacterium, called borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for this disease. This bacteria is transmitted by the bite of a tick. It is said that out of all the species of ticks, only three species are known to transmit this disease. According to research, Lyme disease in dogs is transmitted through the bite of a deer tick or a black-legged tick. Symptoms usually occur within a period of two to five months of the dog being bitten by a tick.
Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Limping (usually one fore leg) has been found to be one of the prominent symptoms that indicate Lyme disease. This is caused by the swelling of lymph-nodes in the affected limb. This condition is termed as lymphadenopathy. Dogs also suffer from high fever (101 to 102.5 degrees) and anorexia. Anorexia is defined as "a prolonged eating disorder due to loss of appetite".
Lyme disease causes swelling of the joints, and a sudden occurrence of lameness in dogs and they tend to become lethargic. The effect or pain of lameness is seen to shift from one leg to another. The legs aren't the only thing affected by the bacteria; the nervous system suffers as well. The dog may also experience a symptom known as myocarditis. This is a condition where the muscular tissue of the heart suffers inflammation. Glomerulonephritis could also be an indicative of canine Lyme disease. This symptom is characterized by decreased production of urine in the body. It is also clear by the presence of blood and protein in the urine. Glomerulonephritis is also characterized by swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities. This is known as edema.
There is a gradual rise in the degree of discomfort in dogs due to the disease. From a mild joint and muscle pain, the disease affects the animal in such a way that it refrains from any kind of movement. That is the reason we see most dogs being carried by their owners into a veterinary hospital.
The bacteria that triggers Lyme disease may remain dormant in some dogs for a certain period (for over a year in some cases). Then there will be a sudden outbreak of the symptoms of the disease. This is because of the fact that during the dormant period, the bacteria may have affected the dog's body in more than one way.
Prevention
The best method to protect your pets from this nasty disease is proper grooming. Regular dog grooming prevents infestation of ticks and other insects. A variety of products are available in the market for getting rid of ticks. Vaccinations are also available to protect your dogs from contracting the Lyme disease. However, re-vaccinations are a must to keep any health problems at bay.
Since Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, treatment involves use of antibiotics. The course of the treatment may vary in duration depending upon the severity of the disease. However, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease keeps matters from getting worse.
- Should Your Dog Get The Lyme Disease Vaccine?
By Ruthie Bently I have lived in southern Minnesota for almost twelve years now. We don’t usually see ticks of any kind before May, when the temperature warms enough up for them to become active; this year was the exception to the rule. After a ramble...
- Puppy Shots Schedule
A mother passes on a significant amount of antibodies to her litter, when she gives birth to them. These antibodies ensure that the puppies are able to combat most diseases, well on their own. But of course, they may not be enough to safeguard your...
- Lyme Disease Vaccine For Dogs
Canine Lyme disease is a serious dog illness caused due to infection by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is passed on the dogs through deer tick bites. For successful transmission of the bacteria, the tick has to remain in the dogs...
- Sick Dog Diagnosis
The word 'sick dog' does not tell you anything about the medical condition of the dog. Dog may become sick due to several reasons. Sickness in dogs may not be as evident as sickness in humans. The fact that a dog cannot communicate his discomfort...
- Gum Disease In Dogs
Very much like humans, there are gum diseases in dogs too. Dogs tend to suffer from gingivitis which means gum loss and periodontitis which means gum as well as bone loss. These gum diseases can have a negative impact on the dog's health. The...