LymeDisease  

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Lyme disease is caused by a group of Borrelia species, a spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi.. A spirochete is a type of bacterium

TRANSMISSION

The spirochetes are transmitted to the dog by nymph and adult ticks. The Ixodes genus: Ixodes scapularis on the east coast, and Ixodes pacificus on the west coast and the most common type of tick to carry Lyme disease is the Deer Tick.

The host is infected only after the tick is partially engorged which usually is 24-48 hours after the initial host attachment.

Once in the blood stream, the Lyme disease organism is carried to many parts of the body and is likely to localize in joints. The most common type of tick to carry Lyme disease is the Deer Tick.

People do not get B. burgdorferi directly from dogs. They get it from being bitten by the same ticks that transmit it to dogs. Therefore, preventing exposure to ticks is important for you and your dog

CLINICAL SIGNS

Many people with Lyme disease develop a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash at the site of the bite within 3 to 30 days but not often found in dogs. For these people, the disease can be easily diagnosed at an early stage. However, symptoms of Lyme disease are more difficult to detect in animals than in people.

Lyme disease can cause an inflammatory condition of the joints, heart, central nervous system and other tissues. Recurrent episodes can result in chronic disease and arthritis. The characteristic rash does not develop in dogs or cats. Because the other symptoms of the disease may be delayed or not recognized and because the symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, Lyme disease in animals is often not considered until other diseases have been eliminated.

Affected dogs have been described as if they were "walking on eggshells."  Often these pets have high fevers. Dogs may also begin limping. This painful lameness often appears suddenly and may shift from one leg to another. If untreated, it may eventually disappear, only to recur weeks or months later.

Some pets are affected with the Lyme disease organism for over a year before they finally show symptoms.

DIAGNOSTICS

Antibodies presence indicates exposure or current disease.

Dogs with lameness, swollen joints, and fever are suspected of having Lyme disease. However, other diseases may also cause these symptoms. Several test exist to determine infection and in some cases to help differentiate disease from exposure.  The blood tests are 4DX (often done in the office), Western blot, PCR, and C6 antibody testing.

Disease description in this species:
LYME ARTHRITIS

Lyme arthritis is characterized by sudden onset of swelling of one or more joints, lameness, fever, and lethargy, and sometime accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. The incubation period in naturally infected dogs is unknown. In laboratory dogs clinical signs develop from 2 to 5 months after exposure to infected ticks.  The joints closest to the tick bites may be the most affected.

LYME GLOMERULONEPHRITIS 

A protein loosing nephropathy has been noted in dogs with naturally acquired Lyme disease. Immune complex deposition in the glomeruli can lead to fatal renal failure. Affected dogs may present with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, increased urination, increased thirst, swellings, and/or fluid in the abdomen. Young adult dogs may be more often affected.  The prognosis for these animals unfortunately is often poor.

Age predilection:
Juvenile

Signs:
Decreased appetite
Painful joints
Unsteady gait
Weight loss
Depression
Diarrhea
Exercise intolerant or reluctant to move
Fever
Lameness

Treatment/Management/Prevention:

Because the Lyme spirochete is a bacterium, it can be controlled by antibiotics.

SPECIFIC
1) Antibiotic treatment usually results in resolution of clinical signs.

·  Doxycycline: Is the treatment of choice for one month

Some dogs will be reinfected and have reoccurance of signs.

Preventive Measures:

1) The key to prevention is keeping your dog from being exposed to ticks. Ticks are found in grassy, wooded, and sandy areas. They find their way onto an animal by climbing to the top of a leaf, blade of grass, or short trees.

2) Check dog's coat daily for ticks. The Deer Tick is a small tick and only about pinhead size in juvenile stage, but a little more obvious in adult phase and after feeding. If you find a tick moving on your pet, the tick has not fed. Remove the tick promptly and place it in rubbing alcohol or crush it between two solid surfaces. If you find a tick attached to your pet, grasp the tick with fine tweezers near the dog's skin and firmly pull it straight out. Removing the tick quickly is important since the disease is not transmitted until the tick has fed for approximately 24-48 hours. If you crush the tick, do not get the tick's contents, including blood, on your skin. The spirochete that causes Lyme disease can pass through a wound or cut in your skin.

3) Vaccination, A vaccine is now available for protecting dogs against Lyme disease. This vaccine is initially given twice, at two-week intervals. Annual revaccination is also necessary to maintain immunity. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective.

4) Prevent tick engorgement using topical therapy such as Frontline.