During a walk in the woods or a run through the field with your dog, nearly invisible ticks are waiting in the grass to get on your dog for a meal. Among the dangerous pathogens they may pass to your pet in the process, Lyme disease is one of the best known. The CDC reports Lyme disease as one of the most common tick-borne diseases in the country, with an estimated 300,000 new human infections per year.

Lyme Disease in Pets

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to dogs through the bite of an infected tick. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours before the bacterium can be transmitted. Daily inspections of your dog are recommended, especially if he has been in areas where ticks may be present.

Signs of Lyme Disease

Symptoms of Lyme disease may not show up for months after a tick bite, and can be similar to other common diseases. Some of the signs to look for are:

•  Joint pain or lameness
• Fatigue (tiredness or exercise intolerance)
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Signs may appear to resolve on their own only to reappear later. However if left untreated, Lyme disease in dogs can cause permanent heart damage as well as joint and nervous system conditions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is made with blood tests that identify antibodies in the blood. Dogs produce these antibodies slowly, so an early negative test may not be all that is indicated. Further testing may be needed if signs are apparent even 2-4 weeks after a bite. Some dogs test positive for Lyme disease, but are not clinically ill.

Treatment is a course of antibiotics that can make a dog feel better after only a few days. It is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics even if your your dog is seemingly well.

Prevention

The CDC reports that tick borne diseases are on the rise in the US with some experts citing the reasons being climate change and earlier spring weather which allows ticks a longer breeding season.

Effective prevention of Lyme disease include:

• Use a year round topical or oral tick prevention
• Keep yards maintained and trimmed and clear leaf piles, lawn trimmings and other debris.
• When possible, avoid tick habitats such as wooded areas and tall grasses.
• Discuss Lyme disease vaccinations with your veterinarian.
• Check for ticks on you dog daily.
• Learn how to remove ticks.