Lyme Disease and Dogs: Symptoms and Prevention

Lyme Disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) carried by ticks, and is transmitted most commonly through the bite of deer ticks and black-legged ticks.  Deer ticks are common near the East Coast, and black-legged ticks near the West Coast. In the United States, Canine Lyme Disease is prevalent in the Northeastern states from Maine to Maryland,  and also in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon and Northern California.

In most areas of the U.S.,  April to November is commonly known as “tick season”, but keep in mind that infection can happen any time of the year.

Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs:

• Swollen or hot joints.


• Joint pain or tenderness. Symptoms are similar to (can mimic) arthritis.


• Poor appetite.


• Less active or playful.


• Limping- can set in as little as a 3 hours following an infection.


• Pain in one or both legs. The pain can also shift from one leg to another.


• A fever of 102 degrees or higher.


• Fatigue.


• Swollen lymph nodes.

When to see your vet:

• If your dog is not arthritic and you notice a sudden change in your dog’s mobility, especially after being in the woods/tick-borne areas, take your dog to the vet immediately.


• If you see any suspicious ticks, and your dog has symptoms listed above.

Prevention:

• The degree of necessary prevention depends upon exposure risk for Lyme disease.


•  Make screening for Lyme Disease a vital component of your dog’s annual vet exam.


• Vaccinations (early for puppies and boosters for adult dogs ) are the best protection.


• Groom your dog with as fine-a-toothed comb as possible. Detecting and removing ticks as early as possible will help to minimize the risk of Lyme Disease.


• Use tick prevention and tick-killing products to reduce your pet’s risk.

Other things to know:

• The symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic symptoms of other diseases, but the infection progresses very quickly in canines.


• Lyme disease can be managed easily if it is diagnosed on time.


• If untreated, symptoms might disappear, but may return weeks or months later.


• Some dogs are affected with the disease for over a year before showing symptoms. By this time, the disease may be quite widespread.

Have a great summer and enjoy the outdoors!!!

Massage provides many benefits for dogs suffering from arthritis:

• Regular massage can help slow down the degeneration of joints.


• Reduces muscular tension, which helps relieve some of the aches and pains associated with arthritis.


• Stimulates circulation and helps drainage.


• Helps remove toxins.


• Provides some sweet quality time to bond with your best friend.

A few tips before you begin:

•  To really make a difference, you need to massage your dog at least two to three times a week. Consistency is key!


• Session should last 10 to 15 minutes- longer if your dog is a large breed.


• Massage should be done in a peaceful, calm setting.


• Do not overwork any one body part, as this can lead to further inflammation.


• If your dog shows discomfort or cannot stay still, begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase duration over time.


• Early morning and evening are the most beneficial times to massage an arthritic dog (after an active day or in the morning when they are stiff or uncomfortable).


• Massage around (not directly on) the achy joint and on the surrounding muscle with long strokes or a gentle kneading motion .


• If your dog resists a particular spot on the body or certain massage techniques, move on to something that feels good.


• Deep tissue massage for injuries or pain relief should only be administered by a certified canine massage professional.


• If your dog’s joints appear inflamed after a massage, wrap a cold towel around the area to soothe any pain and decrease inflammation. If inflammation persists, consult your veterinarian.

 Times when you do not want to massage your pet:

• After your pet has just eaten- wait at least two hours after eating.


• If your pet is sick they may not want to be touched- just be sure to listen to their signals- they will let you know!


• Avoid massaging the back and belly of a pregnant animal.


• Just after intense exercise. Wait until your dog has a chance to cool down and rest.

How to Massage Your Dog:

1. Start by simply placing your hands on your dog for 30 seconds or so to establish a connection between you and your dog.


2. Use long, light strokes along the length of your dog’s body (from head to tail) to warm the body.


3. Massage with small circles with your thumbs on either side of the spine. You can also use your fingers to “walk” along the spine. This feels great and helps with overall circulation, lymphatic drainage and spinal health.


4. Next, use a very light kneading motion over tight muscles (like kneading dough), to help loosen the muscle fibers and stimulate deeper circulation. Make sure to massage the neck and shoulders because your dog will most likely adore you for it!


5. Intersperse with long, light strokes to help drainage.


6. Massage the feet (if your dog can  tolerate it-take care to avoid getting bitten by foot-sensitive animals) by gently squeezing and pull slowly down the toes. This physical therapy technique can improve the neurological connection from the brain to the feet, improving mobility.


7. Massage the legs (front and back) with long strokes, starting from the feet and moving up the leg towards the hip and buttocks.


8. Use the gentle kneading motion around the hips and buttocks. Remember, do not work directly over arthritic joints, work on the muscles around them.


9. Do some easystretching exercises to help the joints and surrounding tissues with mobility and flexibility. Gently bend and flex arthritic joints to improve range of motion.


10. Wind the session down by massaging the ears with slow, gentle rubbing of the inside and outside of each ear.


11. End the massage by gently stroking your dog’s entire body for deep relaxation.


12. Go out for an easy, short walk to help keep everything moving and circulating!

Have fun and enjoy this time with your dog. It will promote optimal health and well being for both of you!

When thinking about your dog’s health (and your own), it comes down to this: you call the shots. Your dog is completely dependent upon you to make healthy choices regarding diet and exercise.  Furthermore, older dogs need extra special attention.  Older dogs tend to move less and eat more, promoting a laundry list of health issues, including dog arthritis.

In order to help your dogs get the exercise they need, here are few more tips:

1. Take your dog swimming. It’s a fantastic workout and a great way to ease the pain of achy joints.


2. Walk your dog two times per day for at least 20 minutes. Climbing hills and stairs make exceptionally good workouts.


3. Hit balls with a tennis racket in an open space and let your dog run and fetch.


4. Go to a dog park and let your dog run and play with other dogs (as long as your dog is well socialized and vaccinated).


5. Be sure to watch for heavy panting or signs of overexertion. Too much exercise (or too intense) is also not good for your dog.

In order to help keep your dog at a healthy weight, here are few more tips on diet and dog weight loss:

1. Reduce the amount of food you give your dog. Your dog will eat as much as you offer.


2. Aim for nutrient-dense food that is low-fat, low-calorie, high in fiber and protein.


3. Limit table scraps. What seems like just a bite to us is a significant increase in a dog’s calorie (and fat) intake.


4. Green beans, carrots, or cauliflower make great low-calorie, low-fat, high-fiber treats and most dogs love them! Put them in veggie or chicken stock for an extra special treat.


5. The size of a treat doesn’t matter to dogs. A small treat will still be viewed as treat.


6. If possible, feed your dog small amounts of food several times a day instead of two large meals/day.


7. Like most people, dogs will eat more when they feel stressed. Make sure you give your dog lots of love, attention and exercise to  keep stress levels low.


8. Try to feed your dogs when you are not home. Dogs tend to eat less when their owners are out of sight.

We wish you, your family and your dog the very best of health and luck!

When it comes to arthritis, people and dogs share similar problems. Excess weight stresses the joints, bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles causing damage, inflammation and pain. The good news: you and your dog can help each other stay healthy, because for both dogs and humans, the solution is the same: eat less and exercise more!

A few interesting facts:

• Approximately 25% of overweight dogs will develop serious joint issues.


• According to The Association of Pet Obesity Prevention, an Estimated 55.6% of US Dogs are overweight or obese,  while 68% of adult Americans are overweight or obese.


• According to Dr. Melvyn Harrington, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at BCM:
  In people, losing just five pounds can save the knees from feeling 15 to 20 pounds of pressure. “Weight management is a major part of managing arthritis, particularly knee arthritis. If you are overweight or obese, then the incidence of arthritis goes up significantly. ”


• An overweight pet’s life expectancy can  decrease by up to 2.5 years.


• Besides osteoarthritis, overweight dogs (pets) are also at risk for: Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury, Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart and Respiratory Disease, Kidney Disease, and Many Forms of Cancer

To increase your dog’s (and your own!) quality and quantity of life by keeping him or her at a healthy weight, here are a few tips:

1.  Maintain a well-balanced, healthy diet. Look for only high-quality ingredients. Stay away from protein fillers, unspecified animal by-products or chemical preservatives. Look for anti-oxidants and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. (See our “Better Food for Your Dog” post for food suggestions).


2. Train your dog with healthy treats that are not fat or sugar filled.


3. Try to refrain from showing your affection by rewarding your dog with food. Limit snacks. (for a list of low calorie treats, see our “People Food and Pets” post).


4. Walk your dog!


5. When beginning an exercise program, begin gradually, checking regularly to see if your dog is struggling to keep up.


6. Too much exercise or intensity can also be harmful. Strive for balance!


7. Make exercising with your dog a fun activity.

Good luck and have fun keeping healthy with your best friends!

 

1. 
   Ibuprofen  (often used by dog owners to treat pain in arthritic dogs, but has a narrow margin of safety and can be acutely toxic to dogs. Overdose can cause GI, renal, and central nervous system (CNS) effects).


2. 
   Chocolate                                     


3. Ant and Roach Baits                                                                                      


4. Rodenticides                                                                                              


5. Acetaminophen


6. Thyroid Hormones


7. Bleach


8. Fertilizer


9. Hydrocarbons


10. 
    Pseudoephedrine-containing cold medications 

*based on the number of calls received at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) between 2001 and 2005.

For a detailed article, go to:  Toxicology Brief: The 10 most common toxicoses in dogs.