One of the most common tick-transmitted diseases is Lyme Borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease. It is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals. This disease is transmitted through a tick bite. Once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can travel to different locations in the body, causing issues with specific organs, joints, and a patient’s overall health.
There are many symptoms to watch for that may indicate Lyme disease in your pet. These include a loss of appetite, reduced energy, fever, lameness, swelling of joints, stiffness, discomfort, or pain. Lyme disease can lead to kidney disease and at times be fatal.
If a patient comes into a clinic showing symptoms of Lyme disease, a 4Dx test should be performed. This test is done by a simple blood draw. It shows results for heartworm, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anapalsma. If the results come back positive for Lyme disease, a treatment plan will be determined. The veterinarian may also recommend sending off a Quant C6 test, to determine if the levels of antibody are high enough to require treatment.
The treatment process for Lyme disease is antibiotics. The antibiotic typically resolves the symptoms quickly, but in some cases, the infection can persist, and medication may need to be given for a more extended period of time. Once treatment has been completed, the veterinarian may want to recheck the levels of antibody through the Quant C6 test 6 months later. This is to see if the values have decreased by at least 50%, or if the values returned to normal range.
We recommend an annual visit to your veterinarian for an overall checkup to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy. Your veterinary will be glad to share the multiple options to ensure you are treating your pets correctly. Come in and see us for more information and tips on providing the best care for your pets!
Written by Tiffani
