Lyme Disease In Dogs

Cases of  Lyme disease have increased nearly 50-fold since it was first identified in humans. Dogs are also at risk of getting this debilitating disease. With tick season starting in late winter/early spring and continuing through the fall, it is important to protect your pet!

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is a tick-borne disease first recognized in dogs in 1984. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria called a 'spirochete'. The common deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, (formerly called Ixodes dammini) is the primary carrier of B. burgdorferi in the Northeast and upper Midwest.  Ixodes pacificus is the primary carrier in the West.

Lyme disease varies in how it affects dogs. Some display no symptoms. Others may develop fever, loss of appetite, painful joints, lethargy, and vomiting. If left untreated, the spirochete may damage the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nervous system.

We can run a simple and accurate blood test to determine if your pet has Lyme disease.

This blood test also checks for two other tick-borne diseases, Ehrlichia & Anaplasma, as well

as Heartworm.

Of the pets we test at Guilderland Animal Hospital, about 20% are positive for Lyme disease. That's 1 in every 5 dogs!  It is a serious problem in our area, especially the Pine Bush region.

To protect your dog against lyme disease, avoid potentially tick-infested areas such as tall grass and brush, vaccinate your pet, and use tick control products such as Frontline Plus  and Frontline Spray.

For more information, visit www.preventlymedisease.com and view the public service announcement filmed at the Guilderland Animal Hospital.