How to Spot Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Engorged Deer tick.

Knowing how to spot Lyme Disease symptoms in your dog will help to prevent serious and even deadly medical conditions. It is important to know the facts and symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs. Lyme Disease can occur in your pet as well as you. Canine Lyme Disease can lead to serious and even deadly medical conditions in dogs. Lyme Disease is carried by the Deer tick- also known as the Black Legged tick. For a Deer tick to infect a dog, it must be attached and or embedded in the dog's skin for 48 hours. However prompt removal of the infected tick within 24 hours, will greatly reduce the chance of your dog contracting Lyme Disease. (Lyme Disease is spread only by ticks and cannot be transmitted from animals to humans.) Daily inspection and removal of ticks on dogs is vital to prevent the transmission of Canine Lyme Disease. If Lyme Disease is s suspected, immediately contact your veterinary.

Instructions

1. 

   Symptoms in dogs and humans of Lyme Disease can mimic Rheumatoid Arthritis. One of the first symptoms to look for in your dog can be limping. Watch for sore and painful feet and legs. If possible, check your dog for lymph node swelling in the affected leg. Joint swelling is also common.

2. 

   Watch for lethargy or any other unexplained changes in your dog's behavior. Be alert for confusion, nervousness, and even seizures.

3. 

   If infected with Lyme Disease your dog can develop a fever of 103 degrees F - 105 degrees F. Vomiting and anorexia is also common.

4. Be alert for an extended or swollen abdomen, breath that smells like ammonia, and increased or severely decreased urination.

5. 

   The severe symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs includes encephalitis, protein losing glomerulonueropathy, kidney failure, myocarditis, and meningitis. However non specific symptoms in dogs can also be indicated. And some dogs will have no symptoms. This is why it is imperative to perform the daily check and removal of ticks on your dogs.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware the prime tick season is May-August in the U.S.

• Consult your veterinary for the proper tick repellant for your dog such as K- 9 Advantix or Frontline.

• Tick collars are not effective.

• NEVER put a tick repellant containing Permethrin on a cat.

• Remove ticks immediately if found on your pet.

• If you suspect your dog has Lyme Disease, immediately contact your veterinary.