Lyme disease in dogs: symptoms, treatment and prevention
What you should know about Lyme disease and some good tips can be found in this article. In addition, for this article we have obtained advice from the veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in dogs.
The symptoms often appear months after the infection and are not always clearly assignable. Therefore, it is particularly important for the owner to consult the veterinarian immediately in case of suspicion.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease, also called Lyme borreliosis or Lyme disease, is a bacterial infectious disease. It can occur in both humans and animals.
An infected Tick can transmit the disease through a sting only after about 16 to 24 hours. In the process, the pathogens Borrelia enter the blood of the dog and spread.
Depending on which organs they reach, different symptoms can occur. However, since these symptoms can also be triggered by other diseases, it is difficult to clearly identify Lyme disease.
The disease is not contagious. Therefore, it cannot be transmitted from one quadruped to another or to a human. However, the tick that caused Lyme disease can move to other living creatures and infect them as well.
On average, around 30 % of ticks in Germany carry the Borrelia bacteria. However, this can vary from region to region. That sounds frightening at first. However, the pathogen is not transmitted with every tick bite.
And even if a dog is infected, the disease often does not break out. This is because its immune system can fight the bacteria itself. Nevertheless, it is important that you check your pet for ticks after every walk and remove them immediately.
The first time after your pet is infected, the disease is asymptomatic. This is particularly dangerous as it is often not recognized early enough. You should therefore observe your dog's behavior even more closely after a tick bite in order to help him in good time.
Only rarely does the so-called wandering redness occur in dogs. This is a round reddening of the skin around the tick bite that spreads over time. Unfortunately, this does not happen with every infection. In addition, it's hard to see under your pet's fur.
Only after several months do the first symptoms of inflammation appear
The main symptoms are muscle and joint pain. You can recognize it by the fact that your furry friend moves less and possibly limps after lying down for a long time. The large joints such as elbows and knees are then swollen and very sensitive to pain.
To detect swollen lymph nodes, you should regularly palpate them in your pet. If the lymph nodes below the ear, inside the lower jaw, in the armpit region, in front of the shoulder blade or in the hollow of the knee can be felt and are sensitive to pain, this could be a sign of Lyme disease.
Another symptom of inflammation could be fever. A body temperature of over 39 degrees Celsius is a cause for concern.
In case of infection, the nature of your dog changes noticeably
He suddenly seems listless and listless. Because of limpness and tiredness he hardly moves. Often infected quadrupeds eat less or refuse food.
The main symptom of the disease is lameness in one or more limbs. These can also change. For example, one day your pet can't move his left front leg properly, the next day he has the same complaints on another leg.
Heart problems or kidney diseases occur less frequently. This only happens if the bacteria also attack these organs. Spinal problems can also occur. You can recognize this by the fact that your dog often has a "cat hump".
Overall, Lyme disease causes a weakening of the immune system, which is why other diseases can also occur.
The main symptoms summarized:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Paralysis symptoms
- Fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- inflamed and pain sensitive joints
- Limpness, fatigue
- Listlessness and listlessness
- Loss of appetite to refusal of food
- Change in the nature of the dog
- discomfort of the spine ("cat's hump")
- Weakening of the immune system
- Heart problems (rare)
- Kidney disease (rare)
If any of these symptoms appear in your charge after a tick bite, you should present him to a veterinarian immediately!
The symptoms occur in episodes. This means that there are phases in which your pelt-nose has no complaints.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of the disease are non-specific. This means that there is no sign that occurs only in Lyme disease. Therefore, other causes can usually not be excluded. The vet cannot confirm Lyme disease 100 %. After all, there are many other possible causes that could cause these symptoms. Therefore, other diseases must first be ruled out before treatment for Lyme disease can begin. This type of diagnosis is also called differential diagnosis.
Other causes for the paralysis symptoms could be, for example, osteoarthritis or a hip malformation. Meningitis could also be responsible for the neurological symptoms. Heart muscle inflammation and kidney disease must also be ruled out.
A blood test is advisable
This tests whether there are Borrelia antibodies in the blood of your four-legged friend. However, it cannot be clearly said that the symptoms are also due to it.
After all, the infection may have occurred much earlier and the immune system successfully fought the disease. In this case, no symptoms would have appeared, but the antibodies are still present in the blood years later.
The diagnosis is further complicated by possible co-infections. These are diseases transmitted by the same tick that caused Lyme disease.
The symptoms of the concomitant disease and Lyme disease can overlap. This usually leads to a more severe course of the disease. Examples of co-infections are babesiosis, early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME) and anaplasmosis.
A therapy against Lyme disease can only be started if all other diseases could be excluded. If the vet is still not sure whether your dog is actually suffering from this disease, he will give him antibiotics against the Borrelia bacteria on suspicion.
If the symptoms improve after a few days, you can most likely assume that the diagnosis is correct and your pet can now be treated.
Treatment of the disease is lengthy and can take several months. As a rule, the antibiotics are administered for one month. With an interval of about 3 months, this procedure is repeated 4-5 times depending on the improvement of symptoms.
The vet may recommend homeopathic, analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications for your faithful companion. Even if they do not cure the disease, they reduce the pain.
During the therapy you should not do any sports with your protégé. After all, his joints need to be protected.It is important that he has a lot of rest!
Your pet is probably suffering from stomach problems after taking antibiotics. You can help him by giving him probiotics like yogurt, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in addition to the normal food.
A full recovery is possible
However, not all bacteria can always be fought. Especially the Borrelia bacteria that have settled in the joints are stubborn. Therefore, a relapse can occur. Your dog must then be treated again with antibiotics.
Even if Lyme disease is not completely cured, your dog will have no symptoms for several years and will feel perfectly healthy. And that's the main thing, isn't it?
Your dog's life expectancy will not be limited by the therapy. Nevertheless, it is important to prevent Lyme disease even after recovery. Because even after a successful therapy your dog is not immune to this disease.
In the warm seasons it is advisable to protect your dog externally against ticks. There are various means for this. Tick repellents offered in stores are not as effective as those from the vet. It's best to get advice from your vet! If you would like to treat your dog with home remedies, I can recommend Coconut oil recommend. The lauric acids contained deter ticks and are also used in other tick repellents. Simply rub the coat with the oil. And don't worry if your pet licks it off. It is harmless and even contains some nutrients.
2. vaccination
Vaccination against Lyme disease is possible, but very controversial. It is only effective against certain strains of Borrelia and not against all strains occurring in our region.
It is also best to consult your veterinarian on this topic to weigh the pros and cons.
3. check daily for ticks
Because ticks can hide well in the fur of your four-legged friend, you should check him very thoroughly for ticks. This is especially important in the warmer seasons. It is best to check the coat after every walk. Also note that ticks can be active earlier after a mild winter.
4. remove tick immediately
If you discover a tick on your pet, you should not wait long. The pathogens can only be transmitted after 16 to 24 hours. The risk of transmission is therefore low if you remove it immediately and very carefully.
5. borrelia tests
Borrelia tests for ticks are offered in the trade. With these you can check whether the tick that has bitten your dog is infected with the pathogens. However, these tests are not very conclusive, because the tick does not transmit the disease with every bite. This measure only provides clues, so that you observe your quadruped even more attentively.
6. pay attention to symptoms
Be sure to observe your pet's behavior after a tick bite! This way you can immediately consult a veterinarian as soon as the first symptoms appear. The earlier the disease is detected, the better it can be treated.
Even if you have not discovered a tick bite and are not sure whether the symptoms apply, you should ask your vet for advice. After all, you could save your dog some suffering and he will soon be healthy again and full of joy.
Lyme disease is a disease that should not be underestimated in any case.
However, if you carefully check your dog for ticks and pay extra attention to possible symptoms after a tick bite, Lyme disease will not be a threat to him.
If you notice any signs, you should take your pet to the vet immediately. If the disease is detected early, he can be quickly treated against it and soon regain his zest for life.
