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Lincoln County News
October 19, 2006
Ask the Vet
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried primarily by the deer tick. Lyme disease is transmitted when the tick starts feeding on the animal. Experts are not sure exactly how long a tick must feed before the bacteria are transmitted. Studies done by San Diego State University and the University of Rhode Island have concluded that the likelihood of infection, after the tick attaches, peaks between 48 and 52 hours.
How do I know if my dog has Lyme disease?
The signs of Lyme disease can be vague or show up suddenly and then disappear just as suddenly. Symptoms often don't develop until 2 to 8 months after infection and are easily mistaken for arthritis, especially if the dog is older. Signs of Lyme disease include unexplained mild or sudden lameness or limping, hot/swollen joints, lack of appetite, fever, fatigue and lethargy. Symptoms may come and go, day to day, or remain for longer periods. Because symptoms can be very subtle they often go unnoticed.
Left untreated Lyme disease can cause many physical problems for your dog, the most severe problem being internal organ damage, particularly to the heart and/or kidneys. A simple blood test can be done at your veterinarians to detect if your dog has been exposed.
What if my dog tests positive for Lyme disease?
A positive test is an indication of exposure to the Lyme organism, which is different from clinical Lyme disease. Dogs that test positive and are exhibiting clinical signs are considered to have clinical Lyme disease and are treated with antibiotics and supportive therapy. Dogs that test positive but are not exhibiting the clinical signs mentioned above are considered positive for exposure. This means that the dogs' immune system has mounted a response to the Lyme organism and is trying to fight it off or has already done so. To guard against the possibility of exposure leading to actual infection and clinical disease, we will usually recommend a course of antibiotics to clear the Lyme organism from your dog's body. Without antibiotic treatment there is a chance that actual Lyme disease will develop in the future.
A titer antibody test can be done before and after antibiotic treatment to determine if the treatment was successful. A urine test should also be done to check for possible kidney damage. In most cases, treatment in the early stages of clinical Lyme disease is highly successful. It is possible for Lyme disease to hide in parts of the body not exposed to the immune system, such as cartilage. In this case, the disease lies dormant and may emerge at a later date. It is also possible for dogs to be infected for life and re-infected if bitten again by a tick carrying the disease. Dogs can test positive on subsequent tests, even if the first infection was treated.
How do I protect my pets from Lyme disease?
Routinely check pets for ticks after they have been outdoors. Brush dogs after each outing. If you find a tick consult your veterinarian about safe removal. Dogs can and should be vaccinated against Lyme disease. Apply topical treatments, such as Frontline, to your pets. Purchasing products through your veterinarian assures you that the product is legitimate. We will also give you proper application instructions and the product that is best for your pet. Many grocery store and pet store products can be toxic to cats and have more side effects. They also do not provide the same protection as the products available from your veterinarian.
Here at The Damariscotta Veterinary Clinic, twenty percent of the dogs we test for Lyme disease are positive for exposure.
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