Lyme disease in Dogs

A large majority - 90% of dogs - that are bitten by the tick do not exhibit symptoms and can harbour the bacteria without incidence. However, when infections do occur, symptoms include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Lameness, or limping
• Swollen joints
• Stiffness

Left untreated, symptoms progress to kidney failure, and neurological issues such as seizures and facial paralysis. Cardiac symptoms have been reported, though they are rare.

The challenge with Lyme disease is that it is hard to detect and may go undiagnosed initially, and lead to chronic, lifelong symptoms. If your pet is exhibiting signs of distress, it is always a good practice to consult a veterinary professional.

Your vet will likely run some blood tests, urinalysis, faecal examinations since the symptoms are suggestive of various other diseases as well. The physical condition of the pet will be noted as will the medical history. The C6 blood test may be carried out which gauges the amount of C6 peptide present in the body. C6 is found on the body of the bacterium and its composition does not change, so it is usually an accurate indicator of the infection. However, there is a possibility of false negatives and the test is best performed at least three weeks after attachment.

If your pet is diagnosed with lyme disease, treatment can be given in an outpatient basis. This is the case if symptoms do not include kidney failure. Antibiotics such as doxycycline are commonly prescribed. The pet needs to be on them for a long time usually - up to a month.

Symptoms such as joint pain are reportedly cleared up relatively fast and if proper adherence to the regimen is followed, the disease is usually taken care of. However, treatment can sometimes result in only a partial resolution of the disease and there is a likelihood of occurrence. 

As suggested above, a serious complication that can result from lyme infection is glomerular disease. This is a type of kidney damage that is sustained from latent infection in the body. The immune system is actively attacking the invading microorganisms and the antibodies produced may begin to get deposited in the kidney and alter its functioning. Antibiotics, drugs that prevent protein loss from urine and immunosuppressive treatment may be required to tackle this more serious complication.

Vaccines are available to prevent the disease, but as is normally the case, they are not 100% effective. They may not be suitable for every pet so it is a good idea to check with your vet regarding the best course of action. Since lyme disease is considered quite rare - only 90% bitten exhibit symptoms - concerns about the need for the vaccine have been raised.

Preventive methods are recommended by veterinarians as best practice against the volatility of lyme disease. It is a good idea to check your dog for ticks daily. Since the infection only spreads after 24-48 hours of attachment, getting rid of the tick promptly averts untoward situations. This can be done using your fingers or a fine pair of tweezers.

Make sure to remove the tick in a single, swift motion so as to remove it in its entirety. Grasping the bug close to the skin will prevent its head from remaining embedded in the body. Tick collars, tick sprays and medicines are readily available in the Indian market and these can be used preferably after consulting your vet.