Canine Lyme disease is a serious dog illness caused due to infection by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is passed on the dogs through deer tick bites. For successful transmission of the bacteria, the tick has to remain in the dogs skin for at least 1-2 days. As per studies conducted regarding Lyme disease in dogs, it is found that the bacterium is present in the tick's saliva, which is then passed to the dog's bloodstream during bites.

Some of the early Lyme disease symptoms in dogs are high fever, loss of appetite, swelling of the lymph nodes, inflammation of the joints, limping (especially the fore leg) and muscle. As the condition progresses, canine Lyme disease symptoms may include lethargy, lameness, anorexia and lack of body coordination. Very rarely, the infected pet may suffer from neurological disorders. Overall, Lyme disease affects the dog's behavior and activities.

Treatment for Dogs

The diagnosis of Lyme diseases in dogs is done by performing blood tests. For confirmation, the vet may examine the physical symptoms, medical history and the test results. Canine Lyme disease, if diagnosed in the early stages, can be treated effectively. The treatment of Lyme disease in dogs is essential in order to prevent severe health complications. Nevertheless, if the condition of canine Lyme disease is left untreated, there may be permanent damage to the nerves, joints, heart, kidney and other internal organs.

Conventional Lyme disease treatment options include antibiotics along with other medications for the management of symptoms. Effective treatment for Lyme disease in dogs can be achieved only after administering the full antibiotic course for about three to four weeks. Lyme disease vaccine for dogs is available, which helps to prevent recurrent infections by the bacterium.

Vaccine for Dogs

Speaking about the vaccine for dogs, there are basically three types of vaccines, which are approved for use in dogs. Such vaccines are effective for preventing Lyme disease. However, similar to other therapeutic formulations, it is to be noted that these medical formulations do not guarantee the prevention of Lyme disease in dogs. The response of the dog towards the vaccine and the overall health of the pet contribute a lot to complete protection against the disease.

The usage of the vaccine for dogs is very controversial. The immunity period after vaccination is short-term. Some medical studies have revealed that after the dog is vaccinated for Lyme disease, future bites by ticks that carry B. burgdorferi cause untreated Lyme disease symptoms. It is due to the fact that the bacteria undergo mutation after certain generations. Considering these complications, researches are ongoing to formulate Lyme disease vaccine for dogs that are effective for controlling mutated bacteria.

The decision whether the vaccine should be used or not depends on one's own opinion. For safety purposes, consult a qualified vet regarding the pros and cons of the vaccines prior to administering them on your pets. The chances of Lyme disease infestations in dogs can be minimized by controlling the population of deer ticks. The dog owner can make use of safe insecticides that are effective in killing ticks, especially in and around the environment. In addition, regular examination of the pet by a qualified veterinarian and awareness of the symptoms help in reducing the risk of Lyme disease infections in dogs.