Lyme Disease In Dogs

Lyme disease in dogs is an illness that is newly recognized.  It is a dog disease that is transmitted by the deer tick.   Lyme disease in dogs not only infects dogs but also infects other members of the household.  The two main seasons for the greatest number of exposure to Lyme disease in dogs occur during spring through fall.

Lyme disease appears mostly in the Midwestern and northwestern part of the United States.  However, since 1975, many more cases of Lyme disease in dogs have been documented in more than forty states.

White-footed mice and white-tailed deer are the main hosts for the deer tick that is responsible for transmitting Lyme disease in dogs.  Since the ticks do not fly nor jump, they wait on low grounds where plants and plant-like grow located in long-grassed or wooded area.  These areas are heavily inhabited by mice, deer, and ticks that are waiting patiently and readily to attach on anything that brushes them.

Deer ticks can attack a dog in any part of his body, although they often attach and bite his head, ears, neck, or feet, then starting Lyme disease in dog.  A tick’s bite causes very little sensation, not like the painful bites from bees, mosquitoes, and fleas.  In fact, dogs and other animals can be covered with ticks and not show any sign of distress.

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include fever, listlessness, and sudden onset of lameness combined with warmth, pain, and swelling in the joints.  Sometimes a circular area of inflamed skin around the tick bite may emerge with Lyme disease in dogs, although it may be quite difficult to notice because of the dog’s coat.

Contact your vet immediately as soon as you notice any symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs.  When recognized in its early stages, Lyme disease can be easily treated and could also prevent your dog from suffering.  Once Lyme disease in dog reaches its advanced stages of infection, your dog may likely suffer from paralysis.  If left untreated, Lyme disease attacks the front and hind limbs, and then attacks the muscles in the chest that disables the respiratory muscles, causing the dog to asphyxiate.

If you think that your dog is suffering from Lyme disease and that the disease is in its advanced stages of infection, contact your vet right away.  Often hospitalization is necessary for advance stages of infection on Lyme disease in dog.