Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can affect both dogs and humans. Ticks transfer the Borrelia bacteria to dogs through simple bites. When a dog becomes sick, the most common symptoms are tiredness, weariness, and a loss of vitality. In extreme cases, Lyme fatigue is the favored diagnosis, and it can appear to be different from usual tiredness. If not treated promptly, this tiredness turns up to take over the dog’s body and can become more severe. But take notice of this most of the animals do have Lyme disease but show no signs.
Overview
- Life Cycle of the black-legged tick
- What are the Symptoms of Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease?
- What is the treatment for Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme Disease?
- How to prevent Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease for dogs?
- Can Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease be transferred from dogs to humans?
- Can Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease be transferred from dogs to other animals?
Life Cycle of the black-legged tick
Blacklegged ticks cause Lyme disease with a general lifespan of two years because the tick needs a new host at four life stages (eggs, larva, nymph, and adult). Tick lay their eggs during springtime, and it hatches and become larvae during summer. Tick larvae feed on mice, birds, and other small animals during that time through early fall. The tick gets infected by the Lyme disease bacteria once it provides off from an infected host. The bacteria will then be inside the tick throughout its lifetime.
The larvae become inactive as it grows into the next stage of its life. Once the larvae become a nymph, it will look for another host for its blood meals to grow into adults. If an infected tick bites into the host, it transfers the Lyme disease bacteria as well. Once the nymph transforms into an adult, it will seek another host infecting the new host as well. The adult female tick will then lay its eggs at this point, completing the lifecycle.
What are the Symptoms of Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease?
Unfortunately, Lyme disease is a pretty frequent canine illness. In dogs, the most common signs include the following:
Fever
Dog fever has a temperature of more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Fatal and even more fatal consequences can develop when temperatures hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lack of appetite
Refusing to consume food. Refused to take treats or food boredom. Eating but not being able to.
Lameness (which can be shifting, intermittent, and repeating)
A lame dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or engaging in other activities that they enjoy.
Reduced energy
Soft tissue damage (strain or sprain), joint injury, bone fracture, or dislocation are the most common causes of acute or abrupt lameness in dogs. In addition, they usually tend to lose their energy when they experience this kind of pain.
Discomfort
One of the most common symptoms in dogs is pain caused by joint swelling. Swelling in one of the legs or near the armpit is possible. These can result in pain or a limp. Swelling can also occur at the groin, which can make defecating difficult for dogs. Loss of appetite, nausea, and regurgitation are all possible side effects.
Joint pains
The Lyme disease bacteria will spread to parts of the body, localizing itself to joints and kidneys. The process will cause joint pains and pain in dogs. One indication that the dog is in pain is when you try to pet it, and it whines and does not want to be touched.
Severe stiffness
Inflammation and stiffness are joint in dogs with Lyme disease, just like other viral or bacteria-borne infections.
What is the treatment for Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme Disease?
Antibiotics are known to treat Lyme disease in dogs. However, the dose and how often the antibiotics depend on the severity of the disease. Removing ticks from your dog is also part of the treatment. Consult your veterinarian on the best course of treatment for your dog.
How to prevent Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease for dogs?
You can prevent Lyme disease by removing ticks from your dogs and make sure they do not crawl anywhere near you, your pets, or your loved ones. Here are some things you can do to prevent ticks from getting into your dogs.
Bathing and proper hygiene
Hygiene is essential to make sure your dogs are tick-free. Proper hygiene includes bathing, combing, shampooing, and good grooming. But it would be best if you bathed your dog at least only once a month. Excessive shampooing and bathing can make your dog’s skin dry that can cause other problems.
Removing Parasites
Lyme disease will not transfer as soon as possible. The condition is generally transmitted after the ticks are relaxed and have been feeding off your dog for quite some time. And it is best to remove the ticks once you see them on your dogs.
Cleaning the whole house
Make sure to vacuum and clean your whole house to prevent ticks from crawling into the carpet, couch, bed, and other furniture. Replace dog beddings every two weeks.
Doctor Checkup
If your dog is experiencing any of the signs above, visit your veterinarian. Consulting your doctor and performing tests will determine the right course of action. If your dog has Lyme disease, then you can prevent it from escalating further.
Can Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease be transferred from dogs to humans?
Lyme disease cannot be transferred to humans directly from dogs. However, the same tick that caused Lyme disease in dogs can also infect humans. You need to isolate the dog diagnosed with Lyme disease and clean the house thoroughly as a precaution. Replace all beddings and vacuum carpets.
Can Lyme Borreliosis or Lyme disease be transferred from dogs to other animals?
Like humans, dogs cannot transfer Lyme disease to other animals by proximity. However, infected ticks can infect other animals once they crawl and bite into them. Therefore, the infected dog needs to be isolated once it has been diagnoses with Lyme disease to stop the tick from crawling to other animals, especially since ticks need a new host for the next stage of their life.
Lyme disease affects humans and animals alike. But you can prevent it if you know what to look for and how to stop them. Proper hygiene is often the key to ensuring Lyme disease cannot harm both you and your dog.
