Lyme disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Management

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a tick-transmitted disease that affects dogs, horses, and to a much lesser extent, cats. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is most commonly carried by the deer tick. In Asia, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus are the primary vectors - these hard-bodied ticks don't cause Lyme disease themselves, but they can transmit the bacteria to dogs.

Grassy areas with thick brush, marshes, and forests are considered high-risk areas for the deer tick. These ticks can latch on to the dog’s body as it brushes against the blades of grass or leaves; ticks cannot fly so they lie in wait on these surfaces.

In dogs, the infection does not spread until 24-48 hours after the tick attaches to the dog's body. Spring and autumn are considered high-risk seasons since that is when the ticks are actually searching for hosts. Lyme disease does not spread from pet to pet or pet to human.

However, since you are likely to have been in the same places as your pet, it is a good idea to get yourself checked for Lyme disease should your pet have it. In humans, a tick bite stands out. A classic symptom of Lyme disease in humans - a "bulls-eye" or target rash - does not appear in dogs.

Instead, the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include generalised pain, limping, loss of appetite and fever. In some cases, if the disease has affected the kidneys, the dog may also experience vomiting, lethargy and weight loss.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Treatment for Lyme Disease in Dogs
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Doctors for Lyme disease in Dogs

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

A large majority - 90% of dogs - that are bitten by the tick do not exhibit symptoms and can harbour the bacteria without incidence. However, when infections do occur, symptoms include:

Fever
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Lameness, or limping
Swollen joints
Stiffness

Left untreated, symptoms progress to kidney failure, and neurological issues such as seizures and facial paralysis. Cardiac symptoms have been reported, though they are rare.

The challenge with Lyme disease is that it is hard to detect and may go undiagnosed initially, and lead to chronic, lifelong symptoms. If your pet is exhibiting signs of distress, it is always a good practice to consult a veterinary professional.

Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Your vet will likely run some blood tests, urinalysis, faecal examinations since the symptoms are suggestive of various other diseases as well. The physical condition of the pet will be noted as will the medical history. The C6 blood test may be carried out which gauges the amount of C6 peptide present in the body. C6 is found on the body of the bacterium and its composition does not change, so it is usually an accurate indicator of the infection. However, there is a possibility of false negatives and the test is best performed at least three weeks after attachment.

Treatment for Lyme Disease in Dogs

If your pet is diagnosed with lyme disease, treatment can be given in an outpatient basis. This is the case if symptoms do not include kidney failure. Antibiotics such as doxycycline are commonly prescribed. The pet needs to be on them for a long time usually - up to a month.

Symptoms such as joint pain are reportedly cleared up relatively fast and if proper adherence to the regimen is followed, the disease is usually taken care of. However, treatment can sometimes result in only a partial resolution of the disease and there is a likelihood of occurrence.

As suggested above, a serious complication that can result from lyme infection is glomerular disease. This is a type of kidney damage that is sustained from latent infection in the body. The immune system is actively attacking the invading microorganisms and the antibodies produced may begin to get deposited in the kidney and alter its functioning. Antibiotics, drugs that prevent protein loss from urine and immunosuppressive treatment may be required to tackle this more serious complication.

Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Vaccines are available to prevent the disease, but as is normally the case, they are not 100% effective. They may not be suitable for every pet so it is a good idea to check with your vet regarding the best course of action. Since lyme disease is considered quite rare - only 90% bitten exhibit symptoms - concerns about the need for the vaccine have been raised.

Preventive methods are recommended by veterinarians as best practice against the volatility of lyme disease. It is a good idea to check your dog for ticks daily. Since the infection only spreads after 24-48 hours of attachment, getting rid of the tick promptly averts untoward situations. This can be done using your fingers or a fine pair of tweezers.

Make sure to remove the tick in a single, swift motion so as to remove it in its entirety. Grasping the bug close to the skin will prevent its head from remaining embedded in the body. Tick collars, tick sprays and medicines are readily available in the Indian market and these can be used preferably after consulting your vet.