What Does It Mean if a Dog Has Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of the blacklegged tick. While many dogs who test positive for Lyme disease may never show signs of illness, some can develop symptoms such as fever, limping or lameness in their legs, swollen joints, enlarged lymph nodes, decreased appetite, and overall fatigue.

The encouraging news is that Lyme disease is highly manageable with proper treatment. If your dog began treatment at the shelter, symptoms will likely be mild or completely resolved by the time of adoption. Typically, the treatment course for Lyme disease lasts around one month.

When adopting a dog diagnosed with Lyme disease, it’s essential to collaborate closely with the shelter to understand what treatments have been initiated, gather any available medical history, and promptly schedule a comprehensive examination with your veterinarian.

Adopting a Dog With Lyme Disease

First, a heartfelt thank you for opening your home to a dog who has tested positive for Lyme disease! These wonderful pets often face longer adoption waits due to their diagnosis, even though this condition usually doesn’t cause lasting health problems. Being informed about what to expect and what questions to ask will prepare you to care confidently for your new furry companion.

Before finalizing the adoption, you should receive your dog’s full medical record. This should detail:

• Any vaccinations and preventive treatments administered while in the shelter
• Records of spaying or neutering performed during shelter care
• Confirmation of a positive Lyme disease test

If available, examine any physical exam notes for signs such as limping or swollen lymph nodes that indicate active Lyme disease symptoms. The shelter staff should openly discuss the diagnosis with you and recommend follow-up veterinary care. Be sure to request a copy of all medical records to bring to your veterinarian.

Shelter veterinarians commonly prescribe the antibiotic doxycycline to treat Lyme disease. Your new dog might still be completing this medication regimen at the time of adoption.

What To Ask the Shelter Before Adoption

Although the shelter will provide basic information about your dog’s Lyme disease status, arriving prepared with questions can help clarify your pup’s health and treatment plan:

• What specific test was used to detect Lyme disease?
• Were any additional Lyme-specific tests conducted?
• Did you perform blood or urine tests to assess organ function?
• What symptoms of Lyme disease has my dog exhibited?
• Has my dog been drinking or urinating more than usual?
• Has my dog received any treatment for Lyme disease so far?
• Did my dog arrive with ticks, and were any tick-preventive treatments applied?
• If my dog is currently on medications, I’d like to know:
  • Will I receive the remaining medication, or should I obtain refills from my veterinarian?
  • How long should the medication be continued after adoption?
  • Are there any tips for administering these medications effectively?
• Can you provide an informational handout about Lyme disease?
• May I please have a full copy of my dog’s medical record for my vet’s reference?

Having comprehensive details will greatly support your first visit to your veterinarian and help ensure seamless ongoing care.

Treatment Options for Lyme Disease in Dogs

In general veterinary practices, dogs who test positive for Lyme disease but show no symptoms often aren’t treated immediately. However, shelters tend to start treatment proactively using doxycycline regardless of symptoms.

Doxycycline is a powerful oral antibiotic typically administered once or twice daily for a minimum of four weeks to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Confirm the exact dosage and duration of treatment with the shelter in case you need to continue medication at home.

After adoption, schedule a thorough veterinary exam promptly. While uncommon, some Lyme-positive dogs can develop serious kidney complications. If the shelter did not perform bloodwork or urinalysis, ask your vet to run these tests to evaluate kidney function. Because Lyme disease requires careful management, anticipate future follow-ups including physical exams, blood tests, and urine analyses.

Depending on your dog’s symptoms, your veterinarian might also recommend additional treatments to relieve sore joints or arthritis caused by Lyme infection.

Most dogs who show Lyme-related symptoms recover rapidly with treatment, often demonstrating notable improvement in joint swelling within three to five days. However, dogs with longer-term joint inflammation may experience lasting joint damage and arthritis.

Always provide your veterinarian with all medical history details obtained from the shelter so they can tailor the best care plan.

Cost of Lyme Disease Treatment in Dogs

In many instances, the shelter may supply your dog’s prescriptions at no cost, meaning your primary expenses post-adoption will be veterinary recheck visits. A typical re-evaluation visit, including exam, bloodwork, and urinalysis, can cost a few hundred dollars.

If you need to fill prescriptions through your veterinarian, expect to pay for doxycycline and possibly anti-inflammatory or pain medications. Prices can vary by region and dog size, but doxycycline treatment alone may range from $100 to $150 or more, depending on dosage and quantity.

Remember, prices will fluctuate depending on factors like your dog’s size, local veterinary fees, current symptoms, and the extent of testing and treatments already completed by the shelter.

Long-term Management of Lyme Disease in Dogs

It’s important to stay vigilant for potential long-term consequences such as arthritis and kidney disease. While most dogs fully recover from Lyme arthritis, those with prolonged joint inflammation may develop chronic arthritis requiring ongoing pain management and possibly joint supplements. Maintaining your dog at a healthy weight also helps reduce joint strain.

Dogs who have tested positive for Lyme disease—symptomatic or not—should be monitored regularly for kidney health. Your veterinarian will collaborate with you to create a tailored plan for monitoring and preventive care based on your dog’s specific needs.

Lyme disease symptoms can recur, and ticks continue to pose risks for transmitting other diseases like ehrlichiosis. Because of this, year-round tick prevention is strongly advised. Options include oral medications, topical treatments, and tick-repellent collars. Your vet may also recommend an annual Lyme vaccine depending on your location, lifestyle, and your dog’s health status.

By fostering a loving, safe home and establishing ongoing veterinary care, you can help your newly adopted dog thrive with a long, happy, and healthy life.

Is Lyme disease in dogs painful?

The most common source of discomfort is Lyme arthritis, which causes painful joint swelling and limping. However, most dogs that test positive do not develop any painful symptoms.

Can dogs with Lyme disease make a full recovery?

Dogs treated early generally recover completely. Those who suffer from prolonged Lyme arthritis may experience lasting joint damage leading to chronic arthritis. Some dogs may experience symptom recurrence, necessitating further treatment. In rare cases where kidney disease develops, full recovery is unlikely.

Is Lyme disease in dogs contagious to other pets?

No. Lyme disease cannot be passed directly from dog to dog; it spreads exclusively through tick bites. Nonetheless, all dogs in tick-prone areas should be protected vigilantly with tick prevention to reduce the risk of infection.