What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease, or Borreliosis, is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of a deer tick (blacklegged tick, or bear tick). Dogs are especially susceptible to this disease, while cats are less likely to contract this disease due to constant grooming. This bacterial infection can affect one animal differently to the next. Lyme disease can also affect humans.
Lyme disease was only identified in 1975 when children in the town of Lyme, Connecticut were suffering with symptoms commonly experienced with rheumatoid arthritis. After further research, they were diagnosed with a new condition; the tick-borne illness – Lyme disease.
What Causes Lyme Disease?
The bacterial agent responsible to Lyme disease is the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. This disease is found in most countries around the world and transmitted by ticks – small blood-sucking invertebrates. Ticks have a three stage life-cycle (larvae, nymph and adult).
During the nymph stage, Lyme disease transmission is most likely. The nymph tick embeds itself into your dog’s skin for several days before causing symptoms of Lyme disease. The nymph tick is so small (pin-head size) that they are often over-looked by pet owners.
Diagnosing Lyme Disease
Lyme disease can be a debilitating condition for dogs, so if your animal shows signs of Lyme disease, it is very important to act quickly and get your dog to the vet for a check up. Your vet will inspect your animal for ticks visible to the naked eye and blood tests may be performed to check for the bacteria in the blood.
Lyme Disease Symptoms and Signs
- Swollen joints
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Bull’s eye lesion
- Poor appetite
Help for Lyme Disease
Both animals and humans are generally prescribed amoxicillin or doxycycline for the treatment of Lyme disease (to kill the spirochete). For more advanced cases, Tetracycline or penicillin is also used. Vaccines are available for both pets and humans, although their use is still fairly new.
There are natural herbal and homeopathic remedies available to compliment conventional treatments for Lyme disease. These natural remedies can be used as an adjunct to the antibiotics, under the supervision of your vet.
Silybum marianus is regarded as an important liver tonic and restorative (this would have a direct impact on overall systemic health as the liver is one of the most important organs in the body and is often affected by Lyme disease). Crotalus hor, China and Aconite can be beneficial when there is a breakdown of red blood cells, fever and exhaustion and fluid loss. These homeopathic remedies are also well-suited to pets who develop a sudden illness of acute nature.
More Information on Lyme Disease
Tips to Reduce the Risk of Lyme disease:
Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent Lyme disease.
- When walking your pet: avoid long grass, wooded areas or leafy debris
- Protect yourself when you go outside and if you walk through long grasses – wear long pants and sleeves, and tuck pantlegs into socks
- Check your pet for ticks and comb through your pet’s hair thoroughly
- If you see a tick on your pet, remove it immediately (see below)
- Consult your veterinarian about tick-killing pesticides or tick collars (however some animals are allergic to the chemicals they contain)
- If you find several ticks on your dog, discuss an insecticidal bath with your veterinarian
- Disinfect your pet’s food and water bowls as well as sleeping environment regularly
- Never use the same tick products for your dog as you would for your cat
- Update your pet’s vaccinations regularly
Note: if your pet is carrying an infected tick (that has not yet attached itself to your pet), it may brush off onto you and bite you – putting you at risk for infection.
Tips to Remove a Tick
- Grasp the tick as close to the head as possible with tweezers
- Pull it straight out in one slow, fluid movement
- Dispose by drowning in alcohol