Symptoms of Lyme Disease In Dogs
If you own a yard, live near a wooded area, or are a frequent visitor to parks and trails, chances are you've heard of the threat of Lyme disease. But Lyme disease doesn't just affect humans — our faithful canine companions are also at risk for contracting the illness.
Even though Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted infections a pet can get, a diagnosis can still be very distressing to a pet owner. Most of us have heard the advice to check a dog for ticks after being outside, but there's a lot more to know. Here, we'll review what Lyme disease is, its symptoms in dogs, what to expect with a dog who has contracted it, and how to protect against it.
So How Do Dogs Get Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Deer ticks carry this bacteria and transmit it to a host while feeding. Unlike some other insect-borne diseases, a bite from an infected tick won't immediately transmit Lyme disease — deer ticks are very slow feeders, and they need to be attached to your dog for 48–72 hours before your pet will contract it.
While Lyme cases were traditionally more prevalent in the Northeast, changing weather patterns have made it a national issue. It's also a mistake to assume Lyme is only a summertime problem — ticks can be active in temperatures just above freezing, so it's important to be diligent about prevention year-round.
If you find a tick on your dog, the best way to remove it is to put on gloves (to avoid infecting yourself) and use tweezers. Remove the tick as close to the head as possible — grabbing the body could cause its mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Pull directly up and avoid twisting to ensure you remove the tick completely. Ticks tend to live in tall grass and bushes at the shady edges of properties, so keeping your grass short and well-maintained helps you and your dog in the battle against Lyme.
Lyme Disease Signs and Symptoms in Dogs
Lyme disease is often difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with many other ailments, and it presents differently in dogs than in people. While infected humans often notice an unmistakable bulls-eye rash, dogs show signs in a different way. One of the most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs is joint pain. (If your dog experiences joint discomfort — including the kind associated with aging — a daily joint supplement like FlexPet may help support joint comfort. FlexPet is a supplement, not a medication, and isn't intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent Lyme disease or any other disease.)
Fever and lameness are also telling symptoms. Because of the joint inflammation the disease causes, Lyme disease and limping often go hand-in-hand — but the inflammation isn't consistent the way an injury would be. If your dog limps in the same leg over a period of time, the cause is more likely an injury; but if the limp appears, disappears, and then shifts to another leg, it's very possible your dog has contracted Lyme disease. Other effects include stiffness in the gait, sensitivity to touch, and sometimes labored breathing.
The most serious effect is the onset of kidney problems. What begins as kidney inflammation can progress to kidney failure if not diagnosed and treated promptly; affected dogs may start with a lack of appetite before more severe symptoms like vomiting and weight loss. Certain breeds are more likely to develop these serious effects — Labradors and Golden Retrievers seem most susceptible, and Shetland Sheepdogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs have also shown greater risk of Lyme-induced kidney failure. Early research also suggests younger dogs may be more prone to contracting Lyme than older ones. Knowing these symptoms will help you answer the questions your veterinarian asks.
Lyme Disease Treatment and Vaccine for Dogs
As with any infectious disease, the first step is prevention, and there are several precautions you can take.
Vaccination. One option is to get your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease. Several vaccines are available; they're typically given as an initial treatment, a booster a few weeks later, and then an annual booster. Vaccination may or may not be right for your pet — talk with your veterinarian about the potential risks and success rates before deciding.
Tick collars. Tick collars work by releasing active ingredients over time that are distributed across your dog's fur and skin, offering protection beyond the collar area — a popular one lasts about eight months. They're often water-resistant but may not be fully waterproof, so remove the collar for dogs who swim or are bathed more than once a month.
Topical ointment. A monthly topical is applied between the shoulder blades and absorbed into the sweat glands. Unlike tick collars that kill ticks on contact, some of these require the tick to bite to ingest the active ingredient — but since a tick must be attached for a few days to transmit Lyme, the bite itself usually won't harm your pet.
Antibiotics. If your dog does contract Lyme disease, your veterinarian will recommend treatment. The most common is an antibiotic called doxycycline. Unlike humans, dogs usually respond within 24–48 hours, though they'll remain on the antibiotic for about four more weeks to ensure the bacteria is fully cleared. Even when symptoms disappear, dogs in remission can experience random flare-ups for the rest of their lives, and Lyme will not necessarily shorten life expectancy.
Daily Joint Support with FlexPet
Lyme flare-ups usually involve joint discomfort. For dogs who could use ongoing joint support, FlexPet is an all-natural daily supplement formulated to nourish the joints and support healthy cartilage, the joint's natural lubricating fluid, and a healthy inflammatory response. It includes bromelain, a plant enzyme that supports a healthy inflammatory response, along with CM8®, glucosamine, MSM, and hydrolyzed collagen type II. FlexPet is a supplement, not a medication — it isn't a treatment for Lyme disease and isn't a substitute for veterinary care.
Even with the proper precautions, it's impossible to eliminate the risk of Lyme disease completely. The best you can do is take all the information into account and be mindful in situations where Lyme is prevalent. It can be upsetting to learn your dog has contracted Lyme, but with proper veterinary care — and daily joint support as part of the routine — your dog can continue to live a long, fulfilling life.
About FlexPet: FlexPet is a joint supplement for dogs built around CM8® (cetyl myristoleate) — made in the USA and trusted since 1999. See what makes CM8® different →