Dog Ticks: Recognize the Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Can you recognize the Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs? Lyme Disease in puppies is dangerous and at times life threatening. If you have a dog that frequently goes outside where it can pick up deer ticks, you need to recognize the conditions to get your dog treatment as soon as possible.

Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs come in two phases – early and late. In the early phase, before your dog is even diagnosed, you’ll note a number of or all these symptoms:

Muscle and Joint Pain – Lyme Disease usually causes lameness due to muscle and joint tenderness. Your dog may have many of the same symptoms as arthritis and have enlargement in the joints. You’ll notice this because your dog will have difficulty walking, walk laboriously or not want to walk around much at all.

Enlarged Lymph Nodes – If your dog is limping and showing pain when it moves or walks, check the lymph nodes to see if they are swollen. Lymph nodes are little glands that assist the immune system function. Check for the lymph nodes in your dog’s neck and the joint of their legs (similar to the armpits and groin in humans). If you feel swelling or enlargement this is a sign your dog has some type of infection, illness or possibly Lyme Disease.

Chills and Fever – Dogs can have fever and chills just like humans. Some dogs with Lyme Disease develop fevers anywhere from 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fatigue - You may notice your dog acting tired and sleeping a good deal more than usual.Lack of appetite – A sudden loss of appetite is another sign of Lyme Disease.

Depression - Lyme Disease affects the nervous system and can cause depression in dogs. Suddenly, your happy and playful dog is acting sad or wants to stay away from family members.Necessarily

Bad Breath – Breath with a strong ammonia-like smell is a good indication your dog has Lyme Disease.If your dog shows any of these signs or symptoms, you need to take him to the vet for a checkup. Bear in mind, your dog will ordinarily have a number of of these symptoms — not just one. And just because your dog has one or more of these symptoms doesn’t absolutely suggest your dog has Lyme Disease.

Your dog is valuable to you and is part of your family. To be absolutely sure whether your dog has Lyme Disease, you need to get a positive prognosis from your vetrinarian. Only then can you begin therapy for your dog to put a stop to long-term injury or even death. Familiarize yourself with these Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs and be able to know them to keep your dog out of harm’s way.