Lyme disease in dogs is one of the common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. However, there are only around 5 to 10% of them cause symptoms in the affected dogs. Some dogs have the symptoms, but some other never show any symptoms.

This disease is able to create a number of health complications throughout the body, especially if it is left untreated. Lyme disease is dog disease other than these unknown but deadly diseases every dog owner should know.

Lyme disease can affect some animals, such as dogs, cats, horses and even humans. There are around 4 species of ticks that can transmit Lyme disease. Also read these ways to get rid and prevent fleas on your pets.

However, you have to know that the tick is not the cause of Lyme disease as it is only transmitting the bacteria that cause disease. So, ticks are just like carrier of the bacteria that cause the Lyme disease itself.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Lyme disease in dogs is harder to identify as dogs don’t develop any rash once they get bitten, unlike humans. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are more about the behavioral cues that can be used to identify the Lyme disease itself.

The signs of Lyme disease vary. Just like stated before, Lyme disease does not give any symptoms to most of the affected dogs. But, there are some common symptoms you can observe from a dog that is infected by Lyme disease. Here they are:

Fever.
Recurrent lameness due to inflammation of the joints.
Malaise.

Lameness is commonly experienced by dogs with Lyme disease because they get their joints inflamed. The lameness sometimes lasts for only 3 to 4 days, but it may recur days to weeks later, either in the same part or other parts.

This condition is known as “shifting-leg lameness.” The dogs may experience one or more joints warm, swollen and painful. If it gets worsened, it may lead to joint damage. Get to know how to prevent joint damage in dogs.

In some other cases, there are some more symptoms of Lyme disease, such as:

Loss of appetite.
Lethargy.
Depression – make sure to know the methods to treat depression in dog.
Sensitivity of touch.
Difficulty in breathing.
Stiff walk with an arched back.
Reduced of energy or discomfort.
Weight loss.

The symptoms above are the common symptoms of the early stage of Lyme disease. The symptoms may get worsened as time goes by, especially if it is left untreated.

That’s why it is very important for a dog parent to be aware of the early symptoms before they become worsened. Here are the symptoms of more serious complications:

Damage to kidneys, nervous system and heart.
Facial paralysis.
Seizure disorders – Also make sure to read how to care about dog seizure.
Kidney failure.

Kidney failure caused by Lyme disease in dogs commonly begins with some signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, increased urination and thirst and abnormal fluid buildups that cause the limbs to be swollen.

You also have to notice that the development of these symptoms may take place much later than the initial bite. It may take around two to five months after the bite to notice these symptoms.

Some of the symptoms are even similar to those of other health conditions. So, it is crucial for you as a dog parent to seek any vet diagnosis if you suspect that your dog is infected by Lyme disease.

Untreated Lyme disease in dogs can even lead to more health complication in your dog’s critical organs. The health complications include the kidneys, heart and nervous system. Kidney damage is the most common complication because it is left untreated.

To prevent this disease from infecting your dogs, you can do some ways. The first one is do regular checking to your dogs. Check if there any tick on their bodies, especially after your dogs have been outside.

Ticks are commonly found in tall grass and brush during the spring, fall and summer. Then, if you find any tick on your dog’s body, remove them by using fine-pointed tweezers to grasp the head of the tick. Pull it straight off and make sure you don’t squeeze its body.

Lastly, brush your dogs regularly and watch carefully for any ticks that are removed. Dispose them before they migrate to the other pets or even people in the house. To prevent Lyme disease in dogs, you also need to feed your dogs with healthy food too, make sure to avoid these poisonous food to your dogs.