According to Dr. T.J. Dunn Jr. of the Internet Animal Hospital, Lyme disease is not always accurately diagnosed, because this disease can mimic other illnesses and blood test results do not always match a dog's symptoms (See Reference 1). It is, however, receptive to a course of antibiotics. When left untreated, Lyme disease can ultimately affect the kidneys, heart and brain; therefore, it is essential that you seek immediate veterinary treatment if your dog shows symptoms of this tick-borne illness.
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Fever
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A healthy dog's body temperature is about 101 degrees F. One of the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs is a high fever---as high as 103 to 105 degrees. When your dog has a fever, you may notice that his nose, paw pads, armpits and inner ears feel warmer to the touch than usual. You can also take your dog's temperature rectally by inserting only the very tip of the thermometer. Consider a high fever an emergency; seek veterinary attention and keep him hydrated with water or Pedialyte until he receives medical help.
Lethargy and Depression
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Although Lyme disease does not cause any obvious signs of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, you will likely notice that an infected dog does not act like his normal self. The Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete responsible for this illness will often cause painful, swollen joints in dogs, which makes them unable to keep up with their everyday activities. If your dog is suddenly lying around the house all day and showing no interest in any activities, contact your veterinarian.
Limping
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As joint pain and swelling increase, some dogs will begin to limp. What is remarkably different about a limp from Lyme disease is that it can shift from leg to leg or only show during certain times of the day. The limp is usually in one of the front legs---a symptom that helps veterinarians diagnose this disease while examining a dog for painful joints and swollen lymph nodes. Some dogs will yelp in pain from a light touch because of the pain, stiffness and muscle spasms.
Loss of Appetite
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When suffering a high fever and overall body pain from Lyme disease, some dogs will lose all interest in eating. Dogs can lose their appetites for a variety of reasons, so this is not always caused by Lyme disease, but your dog does require medical attention if he has lost his appetite and has a high fever. Keep him well hydrated until you can get him to a veterinary hospital. Your veterinarian may prescribe something to break the fever, along with medication for the disease, so he is able to eat again.
Tick Identification
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If you have not found any ticks on your dog, that does not necessarily mean that she has not contracted Lyme disease. According to Dr. Anna R. Thorner, young deer ticks can be as small as a poppy seed; they are not always easy to spot when combing through your dog's fur (see Reference 2). Should you find a tick on your dog, always remove it with a pair of tweezers by pulling its head from the dog's skin, and store the tick in a closed container of rubbing alcohol for species identification.
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