Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria that is spread to both humans and certain animals by tiny deer ticks. Among the animals that are susceptible to Lyme disease are dogs, which tend to exhibit different symptoms than humans who are infected with the disease. Although dogs of any age can contract Lyme disease, younger dogs are more vulnerable to the disease and experience more severe symptoms than older dogs.
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Identification
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Although Lyme disease can occur in many areas of the United States as well as other parts of the world, over 90 percent of cases are found in Northeastern United States, according to The Directors of Health Promotion and Education. The disease is so named because it was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut. More than 50 percent of deer ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, according to the Holistic Veterinary Center. Ticks become infected with Lyme disease bacteria by feeding off of infected small rodents such as mice and chipmunks. Transmission of the infection from deer ticks only occurs after a tick has been attached to the skin at least 24 hours.
Symptoms
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About two to five months after contracting Lyme disease, a dog will typically exhibit signs of lameness such as limping. This is usually caused by arthritis in the wrist and ankle joints. There may be noticeable swelling of these joints. Other symptoms include fever and a loss of appetite. In rare cases a dog may develop serious complications such as kidney failure or heart and neurological problems as a result of the disease. In contrast, some infected dogs will not show any symptoms at all.
Diagnosis
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As with humans, diagnosing Lyme disease in dogs can be difficult. Blood tests can confirm antibodies developed to the Lyme bacteria, but even so, this is not an absolute indicator that a dog has contracted Lyme disease. According to the Holistic Veterinary Center, 89.6 percent of healthy dogs in a study tested positive for antibodies, meaning they had been exposed to Lyme disease but were never actually infected by it. As such, many veterinarians will treat dogs for Lyme disease based on clinical symptoms.
Treatment
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The treatment for Lyme disease in dogs is the same regardless of age. A course of antibiotics, either doxycycline or amoxicillin, is administered for a month. Some dogs will exhibit recurring symptoms after the initial treatment, which is again addressed by another round of antibiotics.
Prevention
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Deer ticks are especially prevalent in wooded areas. The best way to prevent Lyme disease in dogs is to avoid exposure to ticks. Limit your dog's roaming in wooded and grassy areas, particularly in early fall and late spring. Always check your dogs for ticks if he has been outdoors, and talk to your veterinarian about canine tick repellents, or consider natural tick repellent products. These may not be as effective as medicated tick solutions, but pose less chance for side effects. There are also two vaccines available for the prevention of Lyme disease in dogs, although it should be noted that a similar vaccine for humans was taken off the market due to severe side effects.
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