Parasite:
Deer tick or black-legged tick (Ixodes spp.) carries bacteria and bites dogs, spreading infection.
Canine Lyme Disease at a Glance:
- Dogs get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.
- The bacteria is what actually causes canine Lyme disease – the tick is just the transmitter or “vector” for the bacteria.
- Ticks carrying Lyme disease have been found in all 10 Canadian provinces and 48 continental U.S.A. states.
- Exposure to Lyme disease may be greater among dogs than humans, because dogs spend more time in backyards or roaming where they are in contact with ticks.
Life Cycle:
Most Common Signs of Infection:
- Silent infection
- Lameness
- Fever
- Swollen Joints
- Kidney Failure
- “Not him/herself”
- Anorexia
Disease Progression (if left untreated):
Damaged kidneys, fatal kidney disease (rare)
Diagnosis:
Simply blood test: SNAP 4DX Test (can detect four infections in one blood sample in less than 10 minutes)
Other tests:
Complete blood count, chemistry profile, urinalysis, other special tests, depending on initial findings and clinical signs.
Prognosis:
If caught early, the outcome is usually very good for a full recovery from symptoms. Some of these infections cannot be cured completely, but early intervention usually provides the best prognosis.
Vaccine Available?
YES
Other Prevention:
Daily tick inspection and removal, and the use of topicals and other veterinary dispensed products.
