Caused by the transmission of the spirochete bacteria through the bite of an infected tick, Lyme disease is contagious to both dogs and humans, and is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases. 

Lyme Disease Related Facts

• The bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, is harbored by birds and white-footed mice
• White-tailed deer can support the tick, but not the spirochete bacteria
• Ticks can become active any time the temperature is above freezing
• Warmer months of May through August are typically when the disease spreads.

People, Dogs and Lyme Disease

• Lyme disease can cause serious illness in both humans and dogs
• A tick on a dog can be transferred to another dog or to a human, so a dog can pass on the ticks carrying the bacteria
• An infected dog is not contagious, nor can it transmit the disease to people or to other dogs
• The tick must feed for 24 to 48 hours before it can transmit the bacteria that causes the disease
• The red bull’s eye or target sign that occurs in people infected from a tick bite does not occur in animals.

Clinical Symptoms of Canine Lyme Disease

The sudden onset of lameness is the most common symptom of canine Lyme disease. It is also often the only sign of infection, and is indicated when:

• One or more leg joints become swollen
• Mild limping which may worsen
• Lameness that shifts from one leg to another
• Joints that are painful to touch
• Lameness may last a few days or it may become chronic and persist or recur for months.

Additional initial symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Depression
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Temperature typically of 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dogs with a more developed and serious case may exhibit symptoms that include:

• Lyme nephritis
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Peripheral edema
• Depression
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination or a lack or urination
• Neurological disease symptoms
• Behavioral changes
• Seizures
• Rare incidence of acute cardiac syndrome
• When these issues are present, the disease is usually fatal.

Diagnosis

Different tests to aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease are available. Clients should be informed that these blood and serological tests:

• Are used to detect antibodies that exist in response to the infection
• May not be accurate until a few weeks after exposure
• May reveal the animal has been exposed, but may not indicate a current infection as the antibody will remain in the dog’s blood for its life
• May indicate positive results if the animal ever received a Lyme disease vaccination
• Healthy dogs may also test positive for the disease, an indication that the dog was once exposed.

A more advanced test for Lyme disease, Lyme Quantitative C6 antibody test, has benefits over many of the standard methods. This test:

• Is more specific and able to differentiate the presence of antibodies from:
• A simple exposure to the disease
• The result of the Lyme disease vaccination
• A contracted illness.

Because a diagnosis can be difficult, additional factors should be considered that include:

• History of tick exposure
• Clinical signs
• Urine tests
• X-rays of swollen joints
• Sampling of joint fluid to show spirochetes.

Treatment

Dogs treated with antibiotics usually show a rapid improvement from the onset of initial symptoms.

• A typical antibiotic treatment plan will run for 14 to 30 days
• Amoxicillin, doxycycline and tetracycline are  three of the antibiotics that work most effectively
• Kidney issues that develop after an initial infection will need to be closely monitored and tested for developing problems
• If kidney disease is indicated, a longer course of antibiotics may be warranted for continued treatment
• Dogs with chronic infections may remain in treatment for months, or even for the rest of their lives.

Prevention

Vaccines that work to prevent Lyme disease are available, but clients need to be made aware that most dogs that are exposed to the disease never become ill. The vaccine for Lyme disease is:

• Considered a non-core vaccine
• Is recommended only for animals living in areas where the disease is prevalent and the risk for tick exposure is high.

Because few dogs develop symptoms and because the disease is easily treated, the best line of defense against Lyme disease is found in taking the steps to control ticks in the animal’s environment. Inform clients to:

• Check animals daily for ticks, removing and properly disposing of any found
• Avoid tall grass or brush areas
• Keep grass and brush trimmed in yard
• Treat yard for ticks
• Learn about the different options available for monthly parasite preventatives or tick collars.

The typical development of Lyme disease symptoms in a dog occurs two to five months after exposure to the bacteria. Although hard to diagnose, most animals respond quickly to treatment.