What is Lyme disease and how can it impact your dog?
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is an infectious disease that can affect dogs, cats, humans and other species. This illness is caused by a microscopic bacteria that is transmitted to your pet from the bite of a tick that is infected with Lyme disease. Dogs are more prone to Lyme disease because they are more likely to be out of doors, in wooded environments or even in grassy areas where ticks live. Ticks live on branches, blades of grass and leaves and will attach themselves to your dog’s coat as he passes by. Cats who go out-of-doors are more prone to tick bites than those who don’t leave the house.
What are some of the signs of Lyme disease?
- Lameness and mobility issues
- Increased body temperature
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Increased water consumption and increased urine
- Other symptoms include muscle and joint soreness and organ damage
If you notice any of these signs of the illness in your dog and if you know he’s been out-of-doors recently, you will want to contact your vet and make an appointment to have him or her checked.
Here is another article we found on PetMd that offers further information on Lyme disease.
