Can dogs get Lyme disease? This question is asked often, especially in the summer when there’s a lot of grass and bugs around. The short answer is that many can, but not all dogs do.
A tick-borne illness called Lyme disease has reached epidemic proportions in the United States in the past few decades. It’s believed to have originated in Europe and Asia.
Still, it’s become widespread here in the U.S. In fact, there are more than 20 different strains of Lyme disease bacteria found in the United States today, with at least 10 being diagnosed each year.
So what’s a homeowner to do if their dog shows symptoms of tick bite fever or something similar? There isn’t anything dog owners can do about it other than take preventative measures — which we’ll explain below.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the Spirochete bacteria. This bacteria is spread through the bite of an infected tick and then transmitted to humans through the dog’s saliva.
Humans can become infected through several different routes – skin, mucous membranes, or even through eye contact.
Do dog ticks carry lyme disease?
Tick-borne diseases are a significant cause of illness in companion animals. Most tick-borne infections are caused by the bite of the deer tick, which is common in the eastern United States.
There are also a few other Tick-Borne diseases that can affect dogs and cats, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever, and Anaplasmosis.
What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?
The most common symptom of Lyme disease in dogs is a swelling of the sac that contains the dog’s brain and spinal cord, the sac that contains the heart and the rest of the major organs.
While this might be the first sign that something is wrong, it is, in fact, just a result of the spirochete multiplying inside the dog’s body.
Other common symptoms include:
- An increased heart rate.
- High-pitched vocals.
- Change in appetite.
- A general feeling of being “off-kilter” or “off-kilter.”
- Tick-borne illness.
The most common symptom of tick-borne illness in dogs is a swollen lymph node in the neck or a large red or brown tick attached to the dog.
Dog Bite Reaction Guide
As with many animal bites, the first sign of a dog bite is an alarm that goes off in the victim’s head. It might be accompanied by a stiff neck or back, a herpetic shin-kick, and a loss of bowel or bladder control.
Other signs of a more serious dog bite may include bleeding gums, a deep wound, a hickey, a swollen lymph node, or a full-blown infection.
Fortunately, there are a few things dog owners can do to protect themselves and their canine companions from becoming infected. It’s important to remember that any dog can have a tick bite, but certain breeds are at a higher risk of contracting Lyme disease.
Dog Bathroom Reactions to Tick Bites
When a dog gets tick-bitten, the owner should first check the bite for ticks. Ticks can live in a variety of places — inside your dog, on your dog, on the dog’s skin, and even inside your home.
If the tick is attached to your dog, the best thing to do is remove it manually. If you can grab it with a pair of clean hands, pull it out gently with your fingers, and then place it in a glass of water.
Do this a couple of times daily, and your dog will be fine. If your dog is outside, check for ticks on your dog as well.
Always stop your dog on a piece of equipment or a sidewalk when you see a tick. If your dog is on a leash, ensure you get your pet’s butt on the ground, not on a high surface.
The Bottom Line:
A tick-borne illness called Lyme disease has become endemic in the United States in the past few decades. More than 20 strains of the disease are found in the country, most of which are endemic here.
Tick-borne illnesses are a significant cause of illness in companion animals. Most tick-borne illnesses are caused by the bite of the deer tick, which is common in the eastern U.S.
There are also a few other Tick-Borne diseases that can affect dogs and cats, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever, and Anaplasmosis.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdrui. It’s transmitted to man by the territorial tick, Ixodes dammini, and can also be transferred by dogs to other dogs through play, grooming, or other pet interactions.
The four primary symptoms of Lyme disease are a swollen lymph node in the neck or a large tick attached to the dog. The infection, once detected, can be treated with a safe and effective drug.