- If a tick is removed from the dog soon enough, the dog will not become ill. The tick must remain attached to the host for at least 48 hours for the bacteria to be transmitted. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria is carried to several parts of the dog's body. According to PetEducation.com, studies show that only about 10% of dogs exposed to the bacteria will contract Lyme disease.
- A dog may not exhibit symptoms of Lyme disease until weeks or even months after contracting the disease. Dogs may develop different forms of the disease and clinical illness can occur 2 to 5 months after infection. Some dogs may not experience any illness at all.
- Although the signs of canine Lyme disease may vary, high fever ranging between 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit is usually one of the characteristic symptoms. It should be noted that some dogs may have a mild fever or none at all, yet still suffer from the disease, so a fever is not the only indicator of illness.
- Infected dogs are often lethargic and may exhibit signs of lameness. The dog may experience a loss of appetite and may refuse to eat at all. A dog that is not eating or drinking may become dehydrated, which only adds to the existing health problems.
- An infected dog usually experiences swelling in the joints and possibly swollen lymph nodes. Dogs do not typically get the characteristic rash associated with Lyme disease in humans. The absence of a rash should not be used as an indicator to whether the dog could be infected with Lyme disease. The symptoms of Lyme disease differ in humans and canines.
- A test known as C6 SNAP is very accurate in detecting Lyme disease in dogs. The disease is fairly easy to treat when detected early. The dog is treated with a penicillin based antibiotic such as amoxicillin. The antibiotic is given for a minimum of two weeks, perhaps longer.
- Although it is uncommon, a dog may develop kidney disease which could be fatal, following Lyme disease infection. It is also possible for a dog to develop heart or nervous system problems. Dogs that have been previously infected with Lyme disease can become infected again. The best course of prevention is to have your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease. Although some vaccinated dogs can still contract the disease, the vaccine makes infection less likely. Topical repellents and collars can also be useful in the prevention of canine Lyme disease.
