Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms and What to Do

Lyme disease is a severe illness for dogs, and it comes with many crippling symptoms that can affect your pup.

The symptoms can vary depending upon the severity of the disease. Lyme disease indicators include joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, and lack of appetite. If the disease has progressed and has gone untreated, it can have serious ramifications for organs in the body.

You should inspect your dog for ticks regularly, especially when they come in from outside. If you want to further understand Lyme disease in dogs, this informative article may be able to help.

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What is Lyme Disease in Dogs?

Lyme disease was first named after the town of Lyme in New London Country, Connecticut. It is called Lyme disease because of several cases of illness that occurred in 1975. The disease can be challenging to detect, and it can cause a wide array of health issues. So, how do dogs get Lyme disease?

An infected tick bite triggers Lyme disease in dogs. Bacteria is subsequently delivered to different areas within the body. It affects various organs or other areas, such as the joints. Ticks that carry Lyme disease can usually be found in tall grasses, marshes, and woods.  

Ticks will often reach their host by crawling on them by way of vegetation. When a dog gets close to a bush or gets near the vegetation, the tick quickly gets onto them and crawls around to find a good place to suck the blood from its host. The primary carrier of Lyme disease is the deer tick.

What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?

Ticks are so small that they often go unnoticed. Your dog may have gotten bit but may not be able to tell because the bites are painless. However, there are several warning signs you can watch out for:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Increased body temperature
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain in the joints and leg
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Leg discomfort and limping
• Sensitivity to touch
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rash in areas such as the leg or limb

Neurological, cardiac, and kidney issues can sometimes occur due to Lyme disease, especially if it goes untreated. Kidney problems can lead to kidney failure in dogs with Lyme disease, so checking your dog for ticks is essential. This illness typically affects younger dogs. It is also a condition that is commonly found in the upper Midwestern states, the Northeast, and Pacific coast states.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease Explained

Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease require further explanation to understand better how to help your ailing pup. Since Lyme disease can cause health complications for your dog, it is good to be aware of some of the things that could be occurring.

Leg Discomfort or Limping

Lyme disease can cause enough discomfort that your pup could be having trouble moving. It can cause them to place more weight on one limb and shift to another, and exercise intolerance can result from severe discomfort and limited mobility.

Lack of Energy

Another symptom is extreme tiredness, which also does not help them with motivation to move around. The lack of energy comes from the body being taxed due to trying to fight off the illness. With Lyme disease, the white blood cell total is high due to overloading the immune system.

Increased Body Temperature

Fever occurs because the immune system must work overtime to fight Lyme disease, which increases body temperature. A pup’s typical body temperature varies between 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A dog may also drink more water due to increased body temperature.

Lack of Appetite

Lyme disease is linked to anorexia in dogs. It can cause a severe drop in appetite, and the pup consumes much less food as a result. Gastrointestinal upset may also occur, as the dog sometimes vomits or has diarrhea. Anorexia is also associated with an increased body temperature.

Increased Thirst and Urination

Kidney failure can be secondary to Lyme disease, and it can precipitate an increased requirement for water in the body. If the kidneys are impaired, it can lead to increased urination. The pup’s body is trying to rid itself of all the toxins.

Difficulty Breathing

Several vital organs, including the lungs, are compromised due to bacteria entering the white blood cells. Since the lungs are the key component involved with breathing, Lyme disease can make it difficult for a dog to breathe. The bacteria can also affect other body organs, such as the heart and kidneys.

What is Treatment for Lyme Disease?

You need to take your dog to the vet if you think your dog could have Lyme disease. If it is confirmed that your pup is suffering from Lyme disease, your vet will treat your dog with antibiotics to avoid any further infection. Since Lyme disease is an aggressive and persistent illness, several treatments may be needed. The typical first round of treatment will take about four weeks to complete.

Since removing bacteria from the body is complex, another course of antibiotics may be necessary. If the dog’s organs are compromised, further treatment may be required. If the pup becomes re-infected, treatment will be restarted. Your dog may also need pain medication if they are experiencing joint or muscle pain. It may take some time for your pup to recover fully.

How to Prevent Lyme Disease

You can take several preventative measures to prevent Lyme disease from infecting your dog. You should talk to your veterinarian about the best way to protect your dog. The following includes some great tips to help keep your pup from encountering the illness:

• Regularly treat your dog with a veterinarian-approved tick control product
• Check your dog for ticksafter walks through grassy areas, marshes, or the woods
• Have your vet periodically check your dog for ticks

You should also vaccinate your dog, which can help prevent Lyme disease. Talk to your vet regarding vaccines your pup should receive.

Conclusion

Lyme disease is a serious illness with symptoms that can be debilitating for your dog. If you suspect your pup has Lyme disease, get them to the vet as soon as possible.

For pups in the North Jersey region, Pet Check Urgent Care has locations in Sewell, NJ and Deptford, NJ. Visit us online to learn more!