Lyme Disease is a condition that frequently affects thousands of dogs each year. Lyme Disease was first
positively identified in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. First diagnosed in humans, it was found that Lyme Disease
was causing an abnormal number of cases of diagnosed arthritis. This was a mis-diagnosis, and research began
to investigate more about this relatively new disease. Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria that is most commonly
transmitted through tick bites.
Though not a life-threatening condition, it is possible for Lyme Disease to cause serious damage and lifetime
chronic conditions. Lyme disease is not unique to dogs, and can also be contracted by humans, cats, and other
mammals. Though it hasn't been suggested that an infected dog may transmit this disease to their owner
or other household pets, it is still possible for an infected animal to bring potentially infectious ticks
into the household.
If left untreated, it is possible for Lyme Disease to result in significant damage to a dog's cardiac
and neurological systems. Depending on how severe this damage is, a dog may or may not be able to recover
from this condition. In some cases, serious complications may develop that will cause a dog to experience
health problems for the rest of their life.
However, if treated in its early stages, most dogs will show a complete recovery from Lyme Disease. Treatment
options vary, though usually involve the administration of antibiotics. Antibiotics are currently the most
common and most effective treatment for relatively mild to moderate cases of Lyme Disease.
Though Lyme Disease has been positively confirmed in 47 of the lower 48 states, there are certain areas
of the country where Lyme Disease is more common. Approximately 90% of all confirmed cases of Lyme Disease
have occurred in the North-Central and North-East states of the USA.
California has also reported a large number of confirmed Lyme Disease cases, mostly in the Northwestern area.
Mississippi, as well as a few other southern states have also reported frequent cases of Lyme Disease. Some
cases of Lyme Disease develop when housing complexes are newly developed in woodland areas where the Deer
Tick is native.
If left untreated, it is possible for many potentially serious complications to develop from this disease.
Lyme Disease has the ability to affect many different organs of the body, and can possibly cause serious damage.
Arthritis is a common complication of untreated Lyme Disease. This can mean that a dog will have swelling
in the large joints, which may or may not reoccur even after the disease is treated.
Due to the possible neurological damage that can result from untreated Lyme Disease, other serious complications
may develop. This includes Bell's palsy, which is a paralysis of the facial muscles (usually localized
to one side of the face). Meningitis is also one of the possible complications that may arise from untreated
Lyme Disease.
Next article: Causes of Lyme Disease in Dogs