Lyme Disease, It’s out there!

Lyme disease is a very common infectious disease in the northeast United States. It is especially common in Maryland.  It is also a very controversial topic among veterinarians because most dogs that test positive are not clinically ill. This makes it difficult to determine which dogs should be treated. Lyme disease also affects humans, so it is a topic of interest to everyone.

What is Lyme?

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease, also called borreliosis burgdorferi, spread through the bite of an infected tick, which is called the Vector, the blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) spreads the disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States. The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) spreads the disease on the Pacific Coast.  Dogs, horses and cattle can also get Lyme disease, as well as, white tailed deer, mice, chipmunks, squirrels, opossum and raccoons. Ticks become infected with the bacteria when they feed on an infected animal, which is how it starts to spread throughout the animal world.

How does my pet become affected?

Dogs become infected when a tick carrying lyme bacteria bites and latches. Signs of lyme can take up to 2-5 months to appear. Normally, lameness and joint pain (arthritis) may be seen.  The knee and elbow are commonly affected and the lameness may shift from leg to leg intermittently. Dogs may also appear to have a fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and may develop kidney disease.

How do humans become affected?

Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny and difficult to see; they feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme bacteria, but they are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria. Adult Blacklegged ticks are most active during the cooler months of the year. Lyme diease in humans can vary from no illness to severe disease. Signs may start 1-2 weeks after infection, First, you will see what we call the “bullseye” type rash on your body, where the tick has bitten you. Not all people infected will get the rash.  Other signs may include pain in one or more joints, swollen joint(s), waxing and waning pain, fever, body aches, stiff neck and headache. The knee is the most common joint affected.  If you think you may have lyme, or have more questions about it,  please contact and talk your HUMAN Doctor for testing and further information on Lyme.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease? 

The diagnosis of Lyme disease must be based on a combination of factors, including history, (tick exposure), clinical signs, and drawing blood to run very simple blood test, called the 4Dx Snap (also  known as the heartworm/Lyme snap blood test).  A positive antibody test is not enough to make a diagnosis on its own, because not all dogs that are exposed to B. burgdorferi get sick, and antibodies can persist in the blood for a long time after exposure.

Treating Lyme Disease?

Treatment with antibiotics usually produces a rapid improvement in symptoms (antibiotics will be continued for a few weeks). Treatment may not completely clear the bacteria, but produces a state where no symptoms are present. Kidney disease may develop some time after the initial infection, so is it a good idea to regularly check for excess protein in the urine of dogs that have had Lyme disease. Catching the kidney disease early in its course offers the best prognosis.

Preventing Lyme Disease!!!

Tick control is extremely important for the prevention of Lyme disease (and many other diseases that can be transmitted by ticks). Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible. This is especially important in peak tick season and after your dog spends time in the bush or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season). Products that prevent ticks such as monthly parasite preventatives all year long (e.g., Frontline, NexGard, Parastar, Advantix), be sure to follow your veterinarian’s advice when using these products. Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard, and in areas where ticks are a serious problem, you can also consider treating your yard for ticks.

VACCINATE!!  Vaccinating can help prevent dogs from getting Lyme disease and also prevent them from becoming a carrier of the the bacteria. Where Lyme disease is common (like right here in Maryland), it is usually recommended to start vaccinating dogs as young puppies (e.g. at around 12 weeks, with a booster 2-4 weeks later). The vaccine does not provide long lasting immunity, so annual revaccination is ideal.  Dogs that have already had Lyme disease are able to get the disease again — they are not immunized against it — so prevention is key.

Contributed by Nicole Graham, Veterinary Technician

One day the snow will end….

…. and then we are left with Ticks! Ugh! Those little blood suckers give me the heebie jeebies. Not only do I have to worry about my dogs getting them, but I have to worry about my kids, and even me getting them. The worst: Lyme disease. According to the CDC, over 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. Each year! Holy cow, that is a lot. In dogs, I am pretty sure it is even higher. The problem with dogs is so many are exposed but so few show symptoms.

 Is my dog at risk? I mean, I only walk it on the side-walk and she only goes in my backyard which is well cared for?  In short, YES. All dogs who come in contact with grass in this area are at risk. I have seen all the scenarios and I have seen them come up positive for Lyme disease. Your dog is not safe from those little blood suckers. Now you know why I hate them! They are everywhere!

I can see ticks on myself, what about my dog?  The small Ixodes (‘deer tick”) tick can sometimes be only the size of a pin head and can be close to impossible to detect. There are several ways we can try to prevent the ticks from spreading Lyme disease. The first, kill the suckers! There are several tick preventatives that can be applied monthly that kill these ticks. Our practice leans towards Frontline. It is a product that has been leaned on for several years and still does a good job killing ticks in 24-28 hours. The makers of Frontline, Merial, have even come out with a new product that is ORAL, yes ORAL. Woohoo! Nexgard is an oral chew which can be given once a month. Although it is currently labeled only to kill the American Dog tick, I bet it is in the works to be approved for the Ixodes tick as well. I do not know about most owners, but for me, I have been waiting for an oral preventative. The topical is a great product, but with little kids, I have to find the right time to apply the product so my dog hugging children do not get it all over them. The second thing we can do to protect our pets that is not available for humans anymore, is vaccinate. The yearly vaccine is safe and can help prevent your dog from contracting Lyme disease.

How do I know if my dog has Lyme disease? Most veterinarians recommend yearly testing despite monthly preventatives and yearly vaccines. Lyme disease is everywhere around here so we would like to know if your dog is at risk for developing signs and symptoms.

Well, since you brought it up, what are the signs and symptoms? For people, the most common symptoms are flu-like.  Not for our furry friends. Dogs exhibit symptoms which are more arthritis-like. If you see your dog struggling to get up one day or limping with no known injury, contact your vet.

My dog has Lyme disease! How do I treat it?  Luckily, Lyme disease in dogs responds very well to doxycycline or minocycline. They do need it for a 30 day course, but it is worth it to see them feel much better.

Lyme disease is a difficult disease because it is very little understood. Experts are still doing studies to determine a solid protocol for dogs and Lyme disease.  Even with the antibiotic, the Lyme disease can linger and even though the dog has antibodies to Lyme disease, it does not necessarily protect them from getting it again.