Canine Lyme Symptoms

Lyme disease in dogs is spread through the deer tick nymph. The tick needs to attach for 48 hours before the disease is spread. Lyme disease in dogs is easily treated through doxycycline or amoxicillin and, in some cases, these medications are prescribed even if Lyme disease is only suspected. Learning more about the symptoms of Lyme disease can help your dog get the treatment he needs.

  1. Loss of Appetite

    • Loss of appetite is an early symptom of Lyme disease in dogs. The dog might be completely uninterested in food or he might simply eat much less food than it normally does. A loss of appetite in a dog, especially if there is no readily apparent cause, is a strong reason to make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine what the issue might be.

    Lethargy

    • A dog in the early stages of Lyme disease may be lethargic. He may go from being a lively animal who wants to play to one who is uninterested in interacting with its humans. The dog may appear to have very little energy, and even if it gets up to play, may lie down very quickly afterward. Sudden lethargy in a dog is a sign for concern, especially if the dog is young and has had no recent illness or injury.

    Fever

    • A healthy dog's temperature usually ranges between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures between 103 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit can indicate that Lyme disease is present. You cannot gauge a dog's temperature by touching its ears, nose or head. Instead, you need a dog's internal temperature, which can only be taken orally, rectally or through the dog's ear.

    Lameness

    • The dog may begin favoring one limb or it might start to have swelling in its joints. This makes movement difficult or painful, and it can account for some of the dog's lethargy. The joints may also feel very warm to the touch. The dog may limp as it moves, or it may favor one leg, constantly holding it away from the ground no matter what it is doing.

    Swollen Lymph Nodes

    • Dogs who have Lyme disease may have swollen lymph nodes. The lymph nodes on dogs are most obviously located around the jaw, the shoulder, the back of the leg and near the groin. You can detect the swelling by feeling around these areas. The lymph nodes can become swollen with infection. The swollen lymph nodes can contribute to the dog's lethargy by making it painful to move.