Lyme Disease Symptoms Dogs
Lyme disease became prevalent beginning in the 1980s and continues to be problematic. It is a serious infection which is transmitted from the bite of a deer tick. Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast and Midwestern United States but has been diagnosed country-wide. It affects both humans and canines alike, with different symptoms.
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Lyme Disease Facts
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Forty-eight hours. That's how long a tick must be attached to your dog in order to transmit the Borreliosis burgdorferi (or B. burgdorferi) bacteria. Removing the tick prior to this time-frame will prevent the bacteria from infecting your dog. While only approximately 10 percent of dogs exposed to the B. burgdorferi bacteria will become ill, preventing exposure to the bacteria is one of the most effective means of avoiding the illness.
Symptom Overview
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Dogs usually develop illness and display symptoms later than humans do (usually between 2 and 5 months after being bitten). Canine symptoms are quite different from human symptoms like flu symptoms, rash and cardiac rhythm abnormalities. Common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include diminished appetite, joint swelling/inflammation, sluggishness, swelling of the lymph nodes, fever ranging from 103 to 105 degrees F and lameness.
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Detailed Symptom: Lameness
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Lameness is one of the most pronounced visual symptoms. Characterized by limping which can affect one or more limbs, it can present itself in several ways. Watch for any behavior which indicates that your dog is in pain, such as being incapable of walking or running as normal, unwilling to carry out normal activities like walking up stairs and refusing to put weight on a specific leg.
Detailed Symptom: Fever
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Your dog's normal body temperature ranges between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees F. Some visible signs that your dog may have an abnormally high fever include lethargic behavior, changes in appetite, abnormal behavior and hiding. If you suspect that your dog may have a fever, you can take his temperature at home using a rectal thermometer. If your dog's temperature is higher than normal, you should contact your veterinarian.
Detailed Symptom: Swollen Lymph Nodes
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Your dog's lymphatic system is a key player in proper immune function. Lymph nodes are located in various places in the body and are small round or oval structures. Common areas that contain lymph nodes include the armpit area, groin and back of the knees. If you notice that your dog's lymph nodes are swollen, you should contact your veterinarian for a check-up since it could be indicative of Lyme disease or other medical conditions.
Diagnosis
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If you suspect that your dog may have Lyme disease, you should make an appointment as soon as possible with your veterinarian. Your vet will need to test your dog's blood. This will determine if your dog has antibodies against the B. burgdorferi bacteria. This by itself is not a definitive diagnostic tool since it only indicates that your dog has been exposed to the bacteria. Additional testing can determine whether your dog developed antibodies from a vaccine or from actual exposure. You vet will also determine if your dog has a history of being exposed to ticks, additional symptoms consistent with Lyme disease and a speedy reaction to antibiotic treatments (within 48 hours).
Considerations
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It is crucial to point out that some dogs may be infected with B. burgdorferi and be asymptomatic (exhibiting no signs of illness). Since Lyme disease does hold the potential for long-term health problems, periodic veterinary testing can be helpful in ruling the infection out. Long-term problems associated with Lyme disease include kidney damage and a condition called glomerular disease. The disease is characterized by a dog's immune system being overstimulated by an infection (even a seemingly dormant infection).
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