A dog with Lyme disease often acts lethargic, loses appetite, and develops fever, but the most distinctive sign is intermittent, shifting lameness (limping that moves from leg to leg) due to painful, swollen joints, sometimes described as walking on eggshells. While many infected dogs show no symptoms, those that do can also experience swollen lymph nodes, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst/urination, and in severe cases, fatal kidney failure (Lyme nephritis).

What are at least 5 early signs of Lyme disease in dogs?

These are the most common signs:

• Intermittent limping or lameness that shifts from leg to leg.
• Fever.
• Loss of appetite.
• Decreased activity.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Painful, swollen joints.

How does a dog act when it has Lyme disease?

Symptoms of Lyme disease

When dogs get Lyme disease, it typically starts with fever, lethargy, and/or random lameness in their legs. Symptoms may last for a day or two and appear again a week later. It can happen to the same limb or a different one and the pup's joints may be swollen, warm, or painful.

What does a Lyme flare up look like in dogs?

Lameness, painful or swollen joints, fever, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and lethargy are the most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs and can range in severity. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to more serious symptoms, like damage to the kidney or the heart and nervous system.

What can be mistaken for Lyme disease in dogs?

A few conditions can be mistaken for Lyme disease depending on the clinical signs. These include other tick-borne infections (such as Anaplasmosis), septic arthritis, and cellulitis.

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How quickly does Lyme disease affect a dog?

When do clinical signs of Lyme disease occur? Only 5-10% of infected animals are expected to show clinical signs of Lyme disease. They typically occur at the chronic disease stage and as early as 2-5 months after infection. Clinical signs can also develop much later.

How do dogs walk with Lyme disease?

Affected dogs have been described as walking as if they are on eggshells. Often, these pets have high fevers. Dogs may also begin limping. This painful lameness often appears suddenly and may shift from one leg to another and, if left untreated, may eventually disappear, only to recur weeks or months later.

What to give a dog with Lyme disease?

Treatment. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline, for four weeks. Pain medications should also be given to help with joint discomfort. Asymptomatic dogs generally only require monitoring by you and your veterinarian, which may involve routine urine checks.

What happens if Lyme goes untreated in dogs?

Left untreated, signs of Lyme disease in dogs can progress to kidney failure and even be fatal in severe cases. Serious neurological impacts and cardiac effects may also take place due to untreated Lyme disease.

How does a dog act if he has Lyme disease?

Clinical signs of Lyme disease look much like the flu. Your dog may have a fever, not eat or drink and will act painful in all joints. Sometimes they will not even walk or walk like their entire body hurts. It is treated with an antibiotic called Doxycycline for a minimum of 30 days.

Do dogs with Lyme disease drink a lot of water?

Increased thirst and urine

The heightened body temperature may cause your dog to drink much more water. The increased consumption can also be caused because of kidney failure that's associated with Lyme disease. And, obviously, the more water they drink the more often they will need to go to the bathroom.

What else mimics Lyme disease?

Lyme disease, known as the "great imitator," mimics many conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and multiple sclerosis (MS), due to overlapping symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive issues (brain fog). It also resembles autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, neurological disorders like ALS, and even simple issues like cellulitis, infections (like anaplasmosis/ehrlichiosis), and psychiatric conditions such as depression, making diagnosis challenging. 

What are the odds of a dog getting Lyme disease from a tick?

It is estimated that only 3-10% of dogs exposed to an infected tick will develop illness associated with Lyme disease.

How expensive is Lyme disease treatment for dogs?

You will need to pay the veterinary examination fee, which ranges from $40 - $100, depending on your location. In addition, blood tests usually run about $80. Antibiotics should also be taken into consideration - in some areas, a 14-day supply of these medications can cost about $400 or even more.

What are the symptoms of the final stage of Lyme disease in dogs?

The final stage is Persistent. This stage comes months or even years later. The most common symptoms are arthritis and neurological problems. This stage may still happen even if the Lyme disease is treated.

What are the five surprising symptoms of Lyme disease?

These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis. Seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms and have recently had a tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease occurs.

What happens if Lyme disease is left untreated?

Lyme disease can affect your nervous system, leading to neurological complications, such as facial nerve palsy, meningitis, and cognitive problems. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may persist for months or even years if the infection remains untreated.

What is stage 1 of Lyme disease?

The first stage of Lyme disease, called early localized Lyme disease, typically starts days to weeks after an infected tick bite and features a spreading "bull's-eye" rash (erythema migrans) along with flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, though the rash isn't always present and can look different. Early treatment in this stage is crucial for preventing more severe, later-stage symptoms.

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