This is an inflammatory disorder, which can become chronic if left untreated.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) which the tick carries.
Humans can also get the disease if they are bitten by an infected tick.
Early symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs start with recurrent lameness due to
inflammation of the joints. This can last 3-4 days but may recur days or weeks later,
either in the same limb or other limbs. One or more joints may be swollen, warm
and painful. Some dogs may also develop kidney problems leading to
glomerulonephritis – inflammation and accompanying dysfunction of the kidney’s
glomeruli (blood filter).
Eventually kidney failure may set in as they begin to exhibit such signs as vomiting, diarrhoea, inappetance, weight loss, increase in urinating and drinking and oedema (build-up of fluid) in extremities.
Other symptoms associated with Lyme disease in dogs include:
- Stiff walk with an arched back
- Sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever, lack of appetite, and depression
- Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the infecting tick bite may be swollen
- Heart abnormalities are reported, but rare
- Nervous system complications (rare)
Cats are thought to be resistant to Lyme disease. Dogs don’t show the skin rash characteristic (“bulls eye”) of Lyme disease in humans.
If you or your pet suffer any symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
If you suspect there is something wrong with your pet and think it may be a parasite, then please contact us immediately! We can supply preventative tick treatment to help protect your pet!
