Lyme disease in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Lyme disease (borreliosis) in dogs is one of the most severe diseases due to the variety of symptoms, severity, and risk of complications even after treatment. It is caused by bacteria called the spirochete Borrelia, which is transmitted by dogs. Ixodid ticks.

Routes of infection

Not every tick carries Lyme disease, but in some areas, up to 90% of parasites can be infectious. The spirochetes themselves can live in the tick's intestines throughout its life and even be transmitted to its offspring. Dogs can become infected through:

1. If a Lyme disease tick bites a dog, the bacteria will be transmitted through the tick's saliva. A strong immune system can resist infection, while a weakened immune system will allow the bacteria to thrive and spread through the bloodstream to the organs.
2. Intrauterine infection can lead to fetal death. However, Lyme disease is not transmitted through milk, which a mother will feed her offspring.
3. During blood transfusions during operations, since bacteria persist even in donor blood.

Many pet owners wonder whether it's possible to catch Lyme disease from a dog. The only way to become infected is through tick removal. For example, if the tick is crushed, the spirochetes can enter a skin wound or mucous membrane. Otherwise, it's impossible to become infected from an infected dog.

The danger of borreliosis

With timely treatment, Lyme disease in dogs is generally highly treatable: in the early stages, a positive response is achieved in approximately 85% of cases. The main danger of Lyme disease is late diagnosis and the progression of the disease to stage three. By this point, the pathogen has spread throughout the body, leading to organ dysfunction and severe complications. Therefore, early detection and prompt veterinary attention are crucial for maintaining your pet's health.

Signs of borreliosis

The disease is characterized by a lack of specific symptoms. This is due to the fact that spirochetes can affect various organs and systems of the body, as well as their "preference" for certain types of tissue. The incubation period for Lyme disease can last up to two months. During this time, the hosts sometimes forget that they have it. tick bite, which makes diagnosis much more difficult, especially when the veterinarian is forgotten to be told about the bite.

The course of the disease is characterized by three stages:

• Stage I is the period from the moment of the bite to 30 days (in rare cases, up to six months), when the spirochetes actively reproduce. It is asymptomatic but may be accompanied by swelling and redness at the bite site.
• Stage II – the manifestation of clinical symptoms (from one month to six months), when borrelia spread throughout the body and cause disruptions in the functioning of various systems and organs.
• Stage III – 6 months after the bite – is characterized by serious damage to the nervous system, skeletal muscles and skin, joints and bones of the dog.

Most often, dogs experience disorders in the following body systems:

• Cardiovascular: tachycardia, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), which are often unnoticeable to the pet owner. However, these disorders may cause weakness and cyanosis or paleness of the mucous membranes.
• Musculoskeletal: lameness and gait changes are the most pronounced symptoms of Lyme disease, preceded by a fever of up to 40°C. This can develop within 2-5 months after the bite. Swelling can be felt in the affected joint, and palpation itself is painful. Arthritis also develops, which, if left untreated, can become chronic.
• Urinary symptoms: frequent or painful urination, blood in the urine, and tenderness when palpating the kidney area. If left untreated, glomerulonephritis and renal failure may develop.
• From the nervous system: encephalitis, meningitis, which can lead to partial or complete loss of limb function.

In each individual case of infection, these symptoms may occur either individually or in combination. Additionally, borreliosis is characterized by loss of appetite, weight loss, increased fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible after a bite offer hope for a full recovery. Lyme disease treatment is aimed at eliminating the spirochetes from the body and providing general relief depending on the clinical symptoms. This includes:

• Long-term antibiotic therapy (up to 1 month). Penicillin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, or cephalosporin medications are typically used for this purpose. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used instead of antibiotics: for severe joint damage, as well as for certain breeds that do not tolerate antibiotics well (retrievers, Labradors).

Important! Taking antibiotics can worsen the animal's condition due to the death of spirochetes and the saturation of the blood with toxins, but treatment must not be discontinued!

• Symptomatic therapy depending on the clinical picture (nephro- and hepatoprotectors, painkillers, antispasmodics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs).
• Supportive therapy. Prescribing Katozal helps to improve metabolic processes and restore the body's defenses for a speedy recovery. During treatment, medications to stimulate the immune system (Polyoxidonium) and vitamin complexes are also prescribed (Gamavit, Gelakan).

In addition, during the treatment period, the pet must be kept in a dry and warm room and not allowed to undergo physical activity.

If joint damage is one of the prominent symptoms of Lyme disease in an animal, visible improvement should occur within 3-5 days of starting treatment. Otherwise, the possibility of another, concurrent illness should be considered.

Preventive measures

Currently, there is no vaccine against Lyme disease, so the primary method of preventing infection remains the use of insecticidal and acaricidal agents. These include special collars, sprays for treating fur and skin, and spot-on drops. It's important to note, however, that these agents do not provide 100% protection. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully select walking areas during the period of peak tick activity—from April to October—and thoroughly examine your pet after each trip outside. If a tick infected with Lyme disease does bite your dog, seek veterinary attention as soon as characteristic symptoms appear.

Read also:

• My dog ​​was stung by a bee: what to do
• Why are ticks dangerous for dogs?
• How to protect your dog from ticks