{"id":128418,"date":"2025-03-12T12:01:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T16:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/?p=128418"},"modified":"2025-03-12T12:01:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T16:01:52","slug":"lyme-disease-in-dogs-how-to-tell-and-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/lyme-disease-in-dogs-how-to-tell-and-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Lyme Disease in Dogs: How to Tell and What to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tick season is just around the corner,<\/strong> and with tick bites come several possible diseases, including Lyme disease in dogs.<\/p>\n

Did you know that 63,000 cases of Lyme Disease<\/a> in humans were reported to the CDC in 2022?<\/p>\n

While the definite number of animal cases is unknown, it's easy to imagine that the number is higher, given that animals are more exposed to ticks because of their behavior and habitat.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately,\u00a0many pet owners don\u2019t realize their dog has Lyme disease until symptoms become severe.<\/p>\n

The good news? With early detection and proper treatment, your dog can recover!<\/p>\n

But how do you tell if your dog has Lyme disease?<\/strong> And more importantly, what should you do if they have it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break it all down.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A lone deer tick attached to human skin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Is Lyme Disease in Dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by\u00a0Borrelia burgdorferi,<\/em> which is transmitted through the bites<\/a> of black-legged deer ticks and western black-legged ticks<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Lyme disease is not transmissible from dogs to humans and vice versa; it can only be caused by direct tick bites.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once bitten,\u00a0<\/span>the bacteria take 24 to 48 hours<\/strong> <\/a><\/span>to enter your dog's bloodstream.<\/p>\n

The bacteria then spread throughout the body, potentially causing joint pain, fever, and kidney damage<\/strong> if left untreated.<\/p>\n

The tricky part about Lyme disease is that it's difficult to spot the early signs. And not all dogs show symptoms, too!<\/p>\n

Only<\/a>\u00a05 to 10% of bitten dogs<\/a> show symptoms, making it all the more difficult to detect.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to catch Lyme disease early before it leads to long-term health issues.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0What Does a Tick Look Like on a Dog?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

How to Tell If a Dog Has Lyme Disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the bacteria responsible for this disease takes up to 48 hours or 2 days to reach the bloodstream, its effects will not be obvious until the next 2 to 5 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watch out for these symptoms:<\/p>\n

Early Symptoms
\n<\/strong>(Appearing Within 2-5 Months of a Tick Bite)<\/em><\/h3>\n