Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted disease in the world. This dangerous illness is caused by a spirochete, which is a type of bacteria. Lyme disease normally results in lameness in dogs. This is because the spirochete causes inflammation of the joints. As a result, the dogs with Lyme disease have a hard time walking. As well, dogs with this illness often display a lack of appetite and depression. In some isolated cases, Lyme disease can cause damage to the kidneys and can affect the heart and nervous systems.
If you suspect your pet may have Lyme disease, look for frequent lameness. The inflammation of the joints will be intermittent, which will mean that your pet will be mobile sometimes and may be unable to move at other times. Normally, dogs will develop shifting leg lameness, which is characterized by lameness in one leg which will return to normal function when another leg is involved. Thankfully, this condition responds well to antibiotic treatment. A veterinarian may be able to diagnose the shifting leg lameness and provide your pet with anti-inflammatory drugs that will help to keep swelling in the joints to a minimum.
Animals can't talk, so the only way to determine if they are ill is to carefully watch for symptoms. Symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Stiff walk with arched back
- Lack of appetite and depression
- Heart abnormalities
- Nervous system complications
- Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the tick bite
When a dog develops kidney problems as a result of Lyme disease, this issue needs to be treated right away. If left untreated, it may lead to glomerulonephritis. This is an illness which causes inflammation and accompanying dysfunction of the kidney's blood filter. Pets with this condition may experience total kidney failure if the condition goes untreated. Total kidney failure will cause your pet to vomit, diarrhea, lose his or her appetite, and suffer severe weight loss. Your pet may also urinate more frequently, and will be continuously thirsty. There will be a fluid buildup in the abdomen and tissues as the kidneys cease to function, which will be easily identifiable in the legs and under the skin.
Lyme disease comes from slow-feeding, hard-shelled deer ticks. You can help to prevent your pet from suffering this painful disease by carefully monitoring your pet when he or she is outside. Don't allow your animal to explore in high grasses, and check your animal for ticks frequently. Veterinarians report that infection typically occurs after the tick has been attached to a dog for 18 hours. This means that if you can catch the little bugs fast enough, you can protect your pet from this dangerous illness. Veterinarians highly recommend that you groom your dog daily so that you can try to remove these ticks. You may also want to get sprays, collars, or spot-on topical treatments that repel and kill ticks if they are a problem in your area.
If your dog does have Lyme disease, then a vet will probably treat the animal as an outpatient. This means that unless its health condition is severe, the pet will the pet will be sent home with you same day. Normally, it takes about four weeks to complete full treatment for Lyme disease. During that time, the dog must be kept warm and dry, and physical activity must be monitored.
Even if bacteria are completely eradicated from your pet's system, your pet may continue to have joint pain. Normally, vets recommend changing your pet's diet to foods that will combat the Lyme disease. If your pet has Lyme disease, find a local vet as soon as possible. With the right attorney there to help you, you will be able to get the assistance necessary to start with treatments and protect your pet from harm.