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Lyme Disease:Just as humans may be affected by lyme disease, the same goes for dogs. Transmitted through the bite of a tick, the borrelia burgdorferi is the textbook name of the bacteria causing lyme disease in dogs. Since the tick transmits the bacteria, it causes a variety of symptoms including limping. In case you’re wondering if cats can contract lyme disease, they can though very few do, one main reason is the can’t ability for self-hygiene and constant cleaning; however it’s more prevalent in birds, people, and yes, dogs. Deer ticks can unfortunately attach themselves to a dog in any part of the body, though typically they bite his head, ears, neck, or feet. In fact, a tick’s bite itself won’t cause much pain. One of the main points to remember is after being bitten by a tick, dog lyme disease doesn’t show signs for weeks to possibly months. At this point, your dogs will demonstrate points of arthritis and possibly a fever. If in doubt, be sure to call your veterinarian who can conduct a test to see if your dog indeed has lyme disease. If your dog has been diagnosed with dog’s lyme disease, treatment may consist of two to four weeks worth of a medication. Since symptoms remain hidden for a while until diagnosis, you may not know how long your dog has had it once it’s been identified. For instance, another symptom of lyme disease in dogs is a rash but typically this is hidden by the dog’s fur. If you happen to see a tick, and see the little seer sucker, it’s important to get a pair of tweezers. In order to prevent the bite and lyme disease in your dog, a tick should be removed without squeezing the body (this could result in crushing the tick and forcing bacteria to leave the tick and enter your dog’s bloodstream). Grab the tick by one end, not the center. Pull firmly and directly upward, similar to pulling out a splinter in one fast motion. Place the tick in a jar of alcohol to kill it after it’s removed. Clean your dog’s bite wound with disinfectant and then wash your hands thoroughly. While there are vaccines approved for dogs, the verdict’s still out if it’s completely effective and preventive against lyme disease in dogs. Several preventative products are available, but for the most part veterinarians suggest that dog owners should be cognizant of where they walk their dogs. It’s also important to mow the lawn and clear debris to decrease the chances that a tick would thrive around your home, yet another precautionary measure to prevent ticks and lyme disease in dogs. And they’re not discriminatory; if ticks attach themselves to dogs creating lyme disease, whether it’s male or female dog, it matters not. Lyme disease also doesn’t distinguish itself by breed; ticks will attach to any dog they can. However, outside, hunting, and working dogs are more likely to be exposed to ticks and therefore, lyme disease, than dogs who are kept indoors.
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