Canine Lyme Disease & Joint Problems

Check your dog for ticks, especially if it is frequently outdoors.

Although Lyme disease is not as devastating to dogs as it can be in humans, it does cause arthritis and lameness in many affected dogs. The highest risk areas in the U.S. for Lyme disease are the southeastern and northeastern regions and northern California.

Cause

Lyme disease is caused by the bite of a deer tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. If the tick is removed within the first 48 hours, a dog generally will not contract the disease.

Symptoms

A dog with Lyme disease can experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, dehydration, listlessness, swollen joints and lameness, though these symptoms often appear weeks to months after infection.

Joint Pain

Inflammation of the tissues around the joints can cause intense pain, making a dog limp. This is often one of the first signs of Lyme disease since dogs instinctually hide their suffering.

Lameness

Usually seen in the front legs, lameness may move from one leg to the other. The shoulder joints are usually hot and tender, and the corresponding lymph nodes may be swollen.

Treatment

Antibiotics are the usual course of treatment, providing pain relief in one day to weeks or months. Prevention methods include annual vaccinations and a strict tick eradication regimen.

References

• VetInfo.com: High Risk Areas for Lyme Disease in the U.S.
• 2ndChance.info; All About Lyme Disease in Your Dog; Ron Hines, D.V.M., Ph.D.