Lyme disease is a condition that affects dogs and humans. It is the most common infection transmitted by ticks and can produce a variety of symptoms, some of which can be very serious. Although several parts of the United States have a high incidence of Lyme disease, only a few infected dogs will develop symptoms after being bitten by an infected tick. Kidney failure as a result of Lyme disease is rare, but it can be fatal for your dog.
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Identification
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The most common initial symptom of Lyme disease is arthritis. Your dog might develop a limp or swelling in one or more legs. Other symptoms can include a loss of appetite, dehydration, a fever and lethargy. Your vet might run a blood test, but a positive result is not always accurate. The dog's response to treatment is a more reliable indicator of whether it has the disease or not. If your dog is suffering from symptoms that indicate kidney disease, such as weight loss or increased urination, your vet might also run blood tests and a urine analysis to check its kidney functioning.
Significance
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Lyme disease can cause major discomfort and pain for your pet. The arthritis can leave your dog averse to being touched and it will not be able to move around easily. As veterinarian Allen M. Schoen remarks, if the disease is left untreated, it can spread to your dog's nervous system, organs and muscle tissue. This includes the kidneys, where the condition can cause kidney failure. Although Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, the kidney damage could be irreparable so it's important to get treatment as soon as possible.
Causes
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Lyme disease is caused by a particular bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is found in ticks. Once inside the dog, the bacteria can multiply and affect different parts of the body. As well as affecting other organs and the nervous system, they can cause glomerulonephritis, says veterinarian Mike Richards. Pet Place explains that this condition is an inflammation of the kidneys that occurs when antibodies and antigens become trapped there. This damages the kidneys and can lead to renal failure.
Prevention/Solution
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A vaccine against Lyme disease is available, but it is only recommended for dogs that live in areas where tick bites are rare. Wendy Harless, of Oregon State University, explains that this is because the vaccine can cause future tests to return positive results for Lyme disease. For dogs in heavily infested areas, it is best to avoid woodland or tall grass, especially during the spring, and check your dog for any tick bites after being outdoors.
Considerations
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Like many conditions, treatment for Lyme disease is more effective if it is given earlier. Damage to organs such as kidneys that occurs from untreated Lyme Disease will be irreparable, even when the bacteria has gone. Therefore, it is crucial to seek advice from a vet if you notice any of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease in order to get the appropriate treatment and rule out any other possible causes of your dog's health problems.
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