Lyme Disease in Dogs

Lyme disease in dogs is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by a spirochete bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by tick bites , particularly black-legged tick or deer tick . Bacteria in the tick's saliva are transmitted to the dogs when the tick is feeding the blood from the dog .

The dog get infected with disease , if the infected ticks attached to the dog skin at least several hours ( between 24 to 48 hr) . not all ticks are infected .

Lyme disease symptoms

In dogs the , symptoms of disease may not show for several weeks or months after tick bite. Some dogs are sick with the Lyme Disease for over a year without any symptoms , by then the disease may be spread all over the dog body . The lyme disease symptoms in dogs are lameness,swollen joint ,swollen lymph joint ,lost of appetite and fever .

How to identifyLyme Disease

Blood tests are allow to identify of Lyme disease. There are two type of blood test which can able to discover lyme disease.

1. Antibodies test which is a regular blood test detects antibodies in the dog blood response to infection with B. burgdorferi. Some dogs may not possess enough antibodies in their body , if they have been infected for long time.

2.Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test , also called DNA testing is very specific and sensitive blood test . However, not all dogs possess the spirochaete in their blood cells. In order to get the best outcome the the blood have to take from an affected area.

Lyme Disease Treatments

Lyme disease treatment in early stage stage is very important in order to resolve burgdorferi infection, before it become life frightening to the dog and prevent further complications.Treatment consists of various antibiotics - including tetracycline, penicillin, and ethril. This is effective ,especially in early stages. Untreated dogs , they can develop chronic arthritis even death from loss of blood.

How to remove a tick

When you remove a tick from a dog ,you must remove all parts of the tick's body including ticks mouthpart and to keep the tick to release additional saliva into . The mouthparts of a tick are barbed and may stay embedded and cause infection to the dog , if the tick didn't removed properly .

The best way to remove a it is to grasp it steady with tweezers closely to the skin as you can and gently remove it . After removing it ,put the tick into the jar with alcohol to kill it .Flushing them down the toilet will not kill them. Finally wash the dog wound with a disinfectant.Don't forget to wash your hand .

How to control lyme disease

You should be aware that a vaccine for lyme disease for dogs on the market now which protect your dog from lyme disease .It is recommended that you should consult with your veterinarian before you vaccinated your dog .