Borreliosis (Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease) in dogs is one of the most dangerous in terms of the variety of clinical manifestations, severity and possible complications of pathologies. The causative agent of the infection, the spirochete Borrelia (bacterium), enters the animal’s body through the bite of an ixodid tick. According to statistics, depending on the habitat, from 5-10 to 90% of insects can be carriers of the disease. The pathogen is specific, the disease is not transmitted from a sick dog to other animal species, or to humans.
Borreliosis or Lyme disease, what is it?
Borreliosis or Lyme disease in dogs is an infectious disease that is transmitted transmissibly, that is, through a tick bite.
This is a relatively new disease. The first case was described in a human in 1975 in the city of Lyme, USA, hence the first name of the disease. This disease was first described in dogs in 1984. The causative agent of this disease is a spirochete bacterium belonging to the genus Borrelia, which gives it its second name. The disease is widespread in all countries of the world, in the USA, in Europe, in Asian countries, but is most common in our country.
Ticks are natural carriers and transmit the causative agent of borreliosis with their bite. Besides dogs, Lyme disease occurs in almost all wild animals (wolves, foxes, rodents, etc.), and it can also affect farm animals. The only exception is deer, which are resistant to this disease. Birds contribute to the spread of borreliosis, as they can carry ticks over long distances.
Pathogens
The causative agents of Lyme disease are several species of human pathogenic borrelia - Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii. Borrelia are microaerophiles and, like other gram-negative spirochetes, are extremely demanding on cultivation conditions. Infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi most often present with arthritis (especially in North America, where it is the only causative agent of borreliosis), while B. garinii is more likely to cause neurological disorders and B. afzelii is more likely to cause chronic skin diseases. All three pathogens cause erythema migrans.
How does infection occur?
As mentioned earlier, infection occurs a few hours after the tick bites the dog and begins to feed, that is, suck blood. Approximately 24-48 hours after the bite, the spirochete (the causative agent of borreliosis in dogs) with the tick's saliva enters the dog's bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. The incubation period (that is, the period from infection to the appearance of the first clinical signs) can range from one to five months.
In addition to the main route of infection, Lyme disease can be transmitted during pregnancy by a dog from an infected mother to puppies through the placenta. As a rule, fetal death occurs. Infection is also possible during a blood transfusion from an infected donor, since the pathogen can persist in the dog’s blood for a very long time, up to several years.
Symptoms of borreliosis in dogs
Symptoms depend on the form in which the disease occurs. There are three main forms - acute, subacute and chronic.
The acute form of borreliosis in dogs is characterized by fever, lethargy, decreased or complete absence of appetite, as well as muscle pain and swollen joints. During the subacute and chronic forms, the disease slowly develops in the body over two or more months. Symptoms can vary widely, but the leading symptom is lameness. It can occur in the first two months after the bite, then it can be episodic for a long time. Also, dogs often have swollen joints. The most common joints involved are the large joints, such as the elbows, hocks (lower third of the hind limbs), and knees. Arthritis of any joint can develop, including purulent arthritis. This is a rather serious and painful condition, which is always accompanied by an increase in body temperature, lethargy and a decrease or complete absence of appetite.
In some dogs, one of the symptoms of Lyme disease is swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes. As a rule, the lymph nodes closest to the site of the tick bite become enlarged. They become large in size, swollen, inactive, and the local temperature may increase (that is, the skin in the area of the enlarged lymph node feels hotter than the rest of the dog’s body).
With borreliosis, internal organs can be affected - the liver, kidneys, myocardium (heart muscle), and the genitourinary system. In this case, the symptoms may be different and correspond to the symptoms of hepatitis, nephritis, myocarditis or prostatitis, and so on.
In addition to internal organs, the causative agent of borreliosis affects the peripheral and central nervous system, causing paralysis of the facial nerve, paralysis of the limbs, convulsions, meningitis and encephalitis. When infected with borreliosis, the dog's body begins to secrete antibodies to the pathogen, which can cause the development of chronic kidney disease.
It is important to remember that while there are a variety of possible symptoms, the main symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are lameness, swelling and tenderness of large joints. Remember that lameness can be periodic (it appears and then disappears).
Do not forget that repeated bites increase the risk of your dog contracting borreliosis (Lyme disease). And also, there is a real risk of infection not only with borreliosis, but also with other vector-borne diseases, such as piroplasmosis (babesiosis), ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Or their joint manifestation.
That's why timely protection is so important!
No gender or breed predisposition was identified. But it is believed that Labradors and golden retrievers may be more susceptible to the disease and are more likely to develop Lyme nephritis (kidney inflammation).
Breed characteristics
Differences in the clinical course, pathogenesis and diagnosis in different breeds of dogs, according to the results of numerous studies, have not been identified. However, there are some peculiarities in treatment.
Labradors and retrievers respond poorly to antibiotic therapy, and sometimes do not respond at all. Also, there is some evidence of increased sensitivity of these breeds to the pathogen; the disease in them is more severe.
Diagnosis of borreliosis (Lyme disease) in dogs
Today, there are several laboratory methods for diagnosing Lyme disease in dogs. Some of them relate to direct methods, in which the spirochete is detected directly in the joint fluid or in the blood. These methods include light or electron microscopy. These methods do not give a 100% negative answer, because the amount of the pathogen in the tissues is not large, and they simply may not be in the submitted sample. Other laboratory diagnostic methods such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and serological tests are more reliable. Although with serological tests carried out in the early stages of the disease, the amount of antibodies (protective proteins produced in response to the appearance of a pathogen) may still be insufficient for a reaction, and, therefore, this method may be false negative. If symptoms persist in the animal, a repeat test should be performed after 20-30 days, when the number of antibodies is already sufficiently high.
Treatment of borreliosis in dogs
The main method of treatment is the prescription of specific antibiotic therapy (antibiotics that actively destroy the causative agent of the disease) for at least four weeks.
In addition to the antibiotic, symptomatic therapy is carried out aimed at controlling the symptoms of the disease, which includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief, gastroprotectors and hepatoprotectors (drugs that support the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and liver), vitamins and so on. With the start of treatment, a massive death of the pathogen occurs in the dog’s body, which often leads to a deterioration in the animal’s condition due to increased intoxication of the body. In such cases, a more serious attitude to treatment is required, intensive therapy and intravenous infusions (drips). It is necessary to monitor the animal's condition around the clock by a doctor, so it is better to place the dog in a veterinary clinic.
After a course of antibiotics, you need to repeat the test for the antibody titer to borreliosis, and if it remains high, then the course of antibiotics should be extended. The question of changing the antibiotic or prolonging it is decided only by the attending physician.
What are the conclusions?
Now you know the answers to questions about whether dogs get borreliosis and what you should do about it. Remember: infection is possible only after a tick bite. Your pet cannot get infected from another animal. Likewise, borreliosis is not transmitted from a dog to a person, except in cases where the blood of a sick animal can get into an open wound.
Symptoms Revisited: Watch for signs of intermittent claudication accompanied by fever, lack of appetite, and general depression. Pay attention to signs of partial or permanent paralysis.
If the disease is not advanced, then provided treatment is started on time, the prognosis can be considered favorable. Diagnosing yourself and trying to help your pet on your own is an unproductive activity. If you suspect a disease, the only way out is to go to the clinic and see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Preventing Lyme disease
From all of the above, we can conclude that preventing borreliosis in dogs is much easier than diagnosing and treating it.
Vaccination against canine borreliosis is not available in our country, so the only method left is to prevent the dog from becoming infected. As we remember, infection occurs 24-48 hours after the bite, which means the tick must die before it infects the dog.
But how do you decide on a means of protection? Pet stores today offer hundreds of different products. Which to choose? There are several conditions that must be met. The drug should be as effective as possible when using its minimum dosage. It must also be low-toxic, that is, safe for the animal and its owner.
All drugs against ectoparasites (external parasites) are called insectoacaricides and are divided into three main groups according to their mechanism of action. The first group is contact preparations. That is, the substance is distributed over the skin and fur of the animal and, upon contact with a tick or other parasite, kills it. As a rule, special collars belong to this group. To maintain a constant concentration of the drug on the animal’s skin, the collar must be worn constantly without removing it, which not all dogs like. If there is more than one animal in the house, then there is a risk of each other’s collars being torn off, as well as the risk that the dog may eat part of the collar, or the entire collar.
The second group of insectoacaricides includes intestinal preparations. These drugs must pass through the tick's intestines before they kill it. Usually these are drops from ectoparasites. When applied to the animal’s withers (on the skin in the area between the shoulder blades), the drug does not enter the systemic bloodstream, but is distributed in the epidermis, that is, in the upper layers of the animal’s skin. When bitten, the tick swallows part of the epidermis along with the drug. This method is not suitable for dogs that wash frequently or often swim in natural bodies of water, and it should also be avoided by dogs with dermatological skin lesions and allergies.
The third group of drugs are systemic drugs, usually tablets. They penetrate the animal’s blood and spread throughout the dog’s body. Penetrating the parasite's body, the substance affects the neuromuscular activity of the tick, paralyzing and killing it before it infects the dog. Today this is the most modern group of insectoacaricides. In addition, drugs in this group significantly reduce the risk of transmitting vector-borne diseases (transmitted from a parasite through a bite) diseases.
All drugs are divided into four safety classes. Simparika tablets belong to the 4th class, that is, the least dangerous for animals and people, while some collars and drops only belong to the third class.
The use of Simparika tablets should not be accompanied by difficulties for dog owners, because the drug is highly palatable and is readily eaten even by picky dogs. Once in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, Simparica reaches its maximum concentration in the animal’s blood within 3 hours. And after 12 hours it guarantees protection not only against ixodid ticks and fleas, but also against demodex (subcutaneous mite), sarcoptes (scabies mite) and otodectes (ear mite). Sufficient concentration is maintained for 5 weeks after taking one tablet of Simparika. The active substance is excreted unchanged in the dog's feces, without having a negative effect on the functioning of internal organs (kidneys and liver).
A large number of studies from Zoetis have shown that the drug is well tolerated by dogs when the recommendations for the use of Simparica are followed. It can be used in dogs during pregnancy and lactating bitches. The safety of Simparika has also been proven in dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation, collies, shelties, Australian shepherds and their crossbreeds.
Causes
Borreliosis occurs with the participation of ixodid ticks, which infect the animal when they bite. In humans, this disease can also be transmitted by lice. It has been scientifically proven that mosquitoes can spread the pathogen.
A tick can bite a dog directly in the forest, or get caught in the fur and be brought into the house. It can stay on the dog’s body for up to 12 hours, gradually moving in search of places with thin skin.
The tick becomes saturated with blood within 6-8 days, but the dog is injected with saliva in the first hours of the bite.
Borreliosis is a disease that is not transmitted from dog to dog or person, so it is not contagious.
Size matters?
The company took care of both the smallest dogs and large dogs. There are six different tablets, depending on your pet's weight. Simparika can be given starting from a weight of 1.3 kg, and the maximum tablet for dogs weighing 60 kg. Today's popular breeds, such as Toy Terriers, Spitz, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, which can weigh very little, will not be left without protection. This is the only drug from the group of antiparasitic tablets on the market today for such dogs. What if you have a giant breed, such as a Great Dane or Central Asian Shepherd, weighing more than 60 kg? Then you need to combine 2 tablets. For example, your dog weighs 85 kg. Then you need to take 1 tablet for 40-60 kg, and 1 tablet for 20-40 kg. The dog will taste 2 times better, because he will receive 2 whole pieces of treats!
If you doubt whether the tablets were calculated correctly by weight or not, it is better to contact a veterinarian.
Used Books
- Ofitserov V.I. Lyme borreliosis and its diagnosis. News "Vector-Best" N 2 (28). June 2003.
- Coyle PK: Neurologic Lyme disease update. 12th International Conference on Lyme Disease and Other Spirochetal and Tick-Borne Disorders, New York, NY, 1999.
- Coyle PK, Schutzer SE, Deng Z., et al: Detection of Bb-specific antigen in antibody-negative cerebrospinal fluid in neurologic Lyme disease. Neurology 45:2010-2015, 1995.
- Coyle PK, Deng Z, Schutzer SE, et al: Detection of Bb antigens in cerebrospinal fluid. Neurology 43:1093-97, 1993.
- Elliott DJ, Eppes SC, Klein JD Teratogen update: Lyme disease. Teratology. 2001
- Fallon BA, Das S, Plutchok JJ, et al: Functional brain imaging and neuropsychological testing in Lyme Disease. Clin Infectious Disease 25(s):57-63, 1997.
- Heertum RV: Functional brain imaging in the diagnosis of chronic CNS Lyme disease. 12th International Conference on Lyme Disease and Other Spirochetal and Tick-Borne Disorders, New York, NY, 1999.
- Jonathan A., Edlow MD, Bull's Eye: Unraveling the Medical Mystery of Lyme Disease, Yale University Press, 2003
- Logigian EL, Johnson KA, Kijewski MF, et al: Reversible cerebral hypoperfusion in Lyme encephalopathy. Neurology 49:1661-1670, 1997.
- Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Lyme Disease. Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43:1089-1134
- Prevention of Lyme disease. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Pediatrics. 2000 Jan;105(1 Pt 1):142-7.
- Sood, SK Recommendations for test performance and interpretation from the Second National Conference on Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Jul 19; 35:451-464.
- Steere AC, Coburn J., Glickstein L. The emergence of Lyme disease. J Clin Invest. 2004 Apr 15; 113(8): 1093-1101.
- Tietz Clinical guide to laboratory tests. 4th ed. Ed. Wu ANB- USA, WB Sounders Company, 2006, 1798 p.
- Treatment of Lyme Disease. The Medical Letter, Inc. Volume 47 (Issue 1209) May 23, 2005.
