Lyme Disease In Your Dog
Just as in human cases of the illness, Lyme disease in a dog is often misdiagnosed, due to the variety of symptoms presenting. Veterinarians should suspect Lyme as a possible culprit if a normally healthy animal suddenly begins to limp, usually on one of the forelegs, a condition caused by inflammation of the joints. Lyme disease in a dog should be treated as soon after infection as possible, or it can lead to more serious problems such as lameness, heart disease and nerve damage.
You may be tempted to treat your dog with human pain relievers if you detect that your animal pal is in pain or discomfort. Dogs may react to the toxicity of certain medications. Therefore, it is wise to consult your veterinarian before giving your pet ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Certain types of antibiotics are helpful in treatment of Lyme disease in a dog, such as Tetracycline.
Lyme disease in a dog is a serious condition presenting many challenges. For many pet owners and vets, the biggest problem lies in detecting the symptoms and correctly diagnosing them. Lyme disease in a dog is zoonotic, that is, the bacteria can be passed from your pet to you and other humans. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has recently composed guidelines for two groups of vaccines available for your pet. For dogs, there are core vaccines, which address common canine diseases, and non-core vaccines, for less common ones. As it is unfortunately becoming increasingly prevalent in dogs, there is a non-core vaccination recommended for prevention of Lyme disease in a dog.
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