Lyme disease is caused by bacteria from a tick bite. Once the tick has penetrated the dog's skin, it will secrete an enzyme that prevents the blood from clotting and keeps it flowing. This enzyme injects the bacteria into the bloodstream. The disease can remain dormant for up to a year before there are any signs of the illness, which is usually arthritis-type symptoms accompanied by a fever.
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Antibiotics
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The first treatment method usually is a round of antibiotics. This may take as much as a month to completely get rid of the bacteria, and your dog still may have a relapse after the last of the medication has been taken. Some common antibiotics are doxycycline and amoxicillin. Antibiotics are usually given in dosages of 1/2 mg per lb., every eight hours.
Antimicrobial Medications
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Antimicrobial treatment is used in conjunction with antibiotics to eradicate the disease. The antibiotics suppress lyme disease while the antimicrobial drugs kill it. The dosage amount depends on the other types of medications administered. Follow the advice of your vet.
Ceftriaxone
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Ceftriaxone is perhaps a last-chance antibiotic. This is used only for dogs with advanced stages of lyme disease. Most often the dogs have suffered from heart or lung damage because of the bacteria. This treatment can rarely completely heal the dogs but can help them recover. Usually, dogs that have gotten this far in the disease will require lifetime treatment for the damage done.
Aspirin
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Dogs with Lyme disease usually are in a good bit of pain. Aspirin is used to help deal with the symptoms. It's good to check with your vet to find out the correct dosage, but a 60- to 80-lb. dog can have one 325-mg tablet twice per day.
Prevention
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Perhaps the best treatment is prevention. Have your dog vaccinated and keep his vaccinations current. See your vet for a checkup every year. Only your vet can successfully diagnose lyme disease.
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