Lyme Disease in Animals

Lyme disease is a growing problem in both humans and animals, but fortunately, it is easily controlled with proper treatment.

Transmission

This disease is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks that are infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The transmission process works as follows: the tick first bites an animal already infected with the bacteria, such as a bird, squirrel, deer, or skunk, and then passes the bacteria to another animal. While dogs can be affected by this disease, cats are never impacted.

Symptoms, prevention and treatment

If you notice your dog showing signs of lameness, fever and/or some lethargy, we recommend calling us to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian, who will guide you through the next steps.

As for prevention, a Lyme disease vaccine combined with a tick repellent that you can obtain from your veterinarian is recommended. You should also, of course, avoid places infected by ticks, which generally hide in undergrowth, tall grass, hedges, shrubs, etc. You can also consult the Government of Canada website for more information on how to avoid being bitten by a tick.

It’s also important to note that Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans through a tick carrier. However, your dog cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to you. In humans, the primary symptom is an expanding erythema (rash) around the site of the tick bite. For individuals with weaker immune systems, such as children and the elderly, symptoms may include fever, back pain, fatigue, and a sore throat—similar to those of the flu.