Lyme disease affects dogs as easily as it affects humans. A tick carrying the disease will spread the disease to its host as it feeds, and symptoms may not appear on a dog for several months.
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Tick Bite
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Dogs are at risk for contracting Lyme disease if a tick attaches itself to the dog̵7;s skin, particularly a deer tick (also known as a black-legged tick). A tick attaches itself to a host for five to seven days.
Incubation Period
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Once Lyme disease has been contracted, it may take two to five months for symptoms to appear. The majority of dogs (95 percent), however, do not show any symptoms.
Symptoms
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After the incubation period, possible symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, loss of appetite, body pains, arthritis, lethargy, depression, cough and enlarged lymph nodes.
Long-term Effects
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Even if the infected dog displays no symptoms, it is not clear if other issues, such as joint problems, may show up later as long-term effects.
Testing
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Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, it is best to have a dog tested for Lyme disease once a tick has been found and removed. Tests include a serology test to check for enzymes related to Lyme, an ELISA test if the dog hasn't been vaccinated for Lyme, or a Canine SNAP 3Dx or C6 SNAP test.
Treatment
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The antibiotic Doxycycline is the treatment for Lyme disease. It will normally be administered for one month.
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