Lyme disease in dogs
At Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK, we ask the shelter to conduct a range of blood tests before your dog travels home to you. We have talked in the past about Leishmania and Brucella Canis, today we will be covering Lyme disease in dogs.
How do dogs catch Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that can affect both dogs and humans.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. When a tick attaches to a dog and feeds, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This can lead to a range of symptoms and complications if left untreated.
Humans cannot catch Lyme disease from an infected dog, only from being bitten by an infected tick, the same way it is transmitted to dogs.
“After a tick carrying the Lyme bacteria attaches to skin, it takes at least 24-48 hours before transmission occurs. Prompt removal of ticks can help avoid Lyme infections. ”
While cases of Lyme disease are more commonly associated with mainland Europe, it's important to note that it is also present in the UK. Certain areas, particularly woodland and grassy areas, have a higher risk of tick infestation. If you're adopting a dog from Spain, or elsewhere abroad, it is wise to have them tested for Lyme disease.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?
The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can vary and may not appear immediately after the tick bite.
“Most dogs infected with the Lyme disease organism take two to five months before they show symptoms. By this time, the disease may be widespread throughout the body.”
Common signs to watch out for include:
Lameness or limping (often shifting between legs)
Joint swelling or pain
Fever
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Swollen lymph nodes
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, please contact a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Although less common, Lyme disease can cause kidney damage (Lyme nephritis). The clinical signs of Lyme nephritis are far more severe than the typical Lyme infection and include vomiting, not eating, increased thirst and urination, weight loss, extreme lethargy and more*.
How is Lyme disease in dogs treated?
As Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, it is typically treated with a course of antibiotics. If the dog is experiencing pain in their joints they will also be given pain medication. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the best possible outcome. In most cases, dogs respond well to antibiotics and make a full recovery.
Can you prevent Lyme disease in dogs?
The good news is that you can prevent Lyme disease in dogs. As dogs catch the infection from being bitten by an infected tick, preventing tick bites and promptly removing any ticks is the best course of action.
For tick prevention, you can get spot-on treatments, collars or tablets for your dog. Check your dog for ticks on a regular basis, especially after they have been walking in wooded or grassy areas where ticks are more likely to be found. If you find a tick, remove it carefully using tweezers or a tick removal tool.
Spanish stray dogs are often found to have fleas, ticks and worms, as they have no one to care for them and take the necessary actions to help prevent bites and infestation. All Spanish rescue dogs at Animals Help are given worm, flea and tick treatment when they first arrive.
How do we test for Lyme disease?
The vet in Spain performs an IgG antibody test for Borrelia burgdorferi, which means they test for antibodies that the dog has produced in response to the Lyme disease bacteria.
A snippet from recent blood test results in Spanish, with the translation in English below.
By understanding the risk of Lyme disease and taking proactive measures to protect your new Spanish rescue dog, you can embark on this exciting adventure with confidence.
Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK are here to support you every step of the way, providing information and resources to ensure your new companion thrives in their forever home.
Choosing to adopt is not just about giving a dog a second chance at life, it's about welcoming a loyal, loving, and adventurous member into your family for the rest of their days. The commitment is big, but the rewards are even bigger.
We help rescue dogs from Spain find loving homes in the UK. Adopting a dog from Spain is more straightforward than you might think, we deal with everything for you and with full Rescue Back Up, we are there for you from adoption and every day after that.
