Prognosis of Lyme Disease in Dogs
According to the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Lyme disease was officially recognized in the United States in 1975. A doctor documented the disease in a group of children in Lyme, Connecticut. Since that time, doctors have learned Lyme disease also affects dogs. Lyme disease is the most common arthropod-borne disease in dogs.
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Lyme Disease
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According to Dr. Ron Hines, veterinarian and author of the 2nd Chance website, Lyme disease is a bacterium called Borrellia transmitted by deer ticks that attacks systems within the body. Deer ticks contract Borrelia by sucking the blood of a deer mouse, which is a carrier of the bacteria. When the deer tick attaches to the dog it can transmit the bacteria. A tick has to be attached to the dog for a couple of days for it to be able to transmit the bacteria.
Symptoms
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Dr. Ron Hines states that symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are not the same as in humans. Most dogs are not affected at all by the bacteria, but a small number are. Symptoms may not start until two to five months after being infected. Unfortunately, Lyme disease can manifest in many different ways in dogs, which can be confused with other diseases. They can run a low-grade fever and may get swollen, painful joints. In more advanced cases, inflammation of the heart, kidney and nervous system may occur.
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Treatment
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Antibiotics will be prescribed for your dog for three to four weeks, according to the Baker Institute for Animal Health. If the dog shows signs of kidney issues, he will stay on the antibiotic regiment longer and be placed on a kidney friendly diet. According to Dr. Ron Hines, veterinarians doubt the antibiotics completely get rid of the bacteria, but may put the disease in remission.
Kidneys
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Some dogs with Lyme disease suffer from kidney problems. Lyme disease causes the dog's immune system to produce large quantities of antibodies. The antibodies get trapped in the kidneys and destroy their ability to clean the blood. Dr. Ron Hines states that many veterinarians order yearly tests to keep an eye on the dog's kidney function.
Prognosis
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According to the Baker Institute for Animal Health, a dog's prognosis is good with Lyme disease. Antibiotic treatment tends to be enough to put the disease into remission. Dogs rarely see the chronic problems Lyme disease creates in humans.
Prevention
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The Baker Institute for Animal Health lists two options for preventing Lyme disease. One is daily grooming and removal of any ticks found on the dogs body. The other option is yearly vaccination that will reduce the risk of infection. A drawback to the vaccination is it boosts the immune system and can cause Lyme-like symptoms.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
