Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis
transmitted by ticks
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis is an infectious vector-borne disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia spp. This bacteria can be transmitted to humans, dogs and other animals by ticks called Ixodes. Within the first hours of the tick bite, Borrelia gets into the blood of the dog and spreads to different organs.
Canine Lyme disease may remain silent (just like in humans) or cause general signs like fever, loss of body weight, anorexia, weakness and orthopedic signs like intermittent lameness or joint swelling. Renal signs are uncommon. In rare cases, heart or neurological disorders may occur. Most dogs are expected to recover. Nevertheless, diagnosis and treatment are expensive, long and demanding for pet parents, justifying strong prevention strategy.
Protect your dog with a combination of preventive measures:
• Reducing the dog exposure to tick bites: carefully check the possible presence of ticks on your dog after every walk and remove them with care as soon as possible.
• Use a product that repels and kills ticks with proven efficacy.
• Discuss about vaccination with your veterinarian.
Geographical distribution
The geographical distribution of Lyme disease includes today temperate climate areas such as countries in the northern hemisphere: United States of America, Canada and Europe. The epidemiology of Lyme disease in canine patient is key for One Health as dogs can play the role of sentinel.
You can evaluate the level of risk in your area in order to protect your dog accordingly; you can stay up-to-date on your local situation and check which are high risk areas for Lyme disease thanks to the real-time Lyme disease map!
Discover more about canine Lyme disease with Pr. Laura Kramer (University of Parma – Italy).
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis map
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Learn more about the diseases
Babesiosis
Canine babesiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Babesia spp. protozoa.
These parasites are mainly transmitted by ticks.
Different species of Babesia can be involved and may require different therapeutic protocols.
The distribution of the species is highly linked to the distribution of their respective tick vectors.
For example, in Europe, B. canis is spread by Dermacentor ticks and recently spreading North.
Lyme borreliosis
Canine Lyme borreliosis is a Vector-Borne Disease caused by Borrelia spp. bacteria transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
Different species of Borrelia can be involved depending on the geographic location.
For example, while only B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was found in North America, many other species can infect dogs in Europe.
Dogs are not a competent reservoir of the pathogen but they represent a useful sentinel reflecting the risk of infection of their owners.
Cutaneous dirofilariosis
Canine cutaneous dirofilariosis is a zoonotic Vector-Borne Disease caused by a nematode parasite named Dirofilaria repens.
This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes while they bite and canids are the major reservoir.
Humans can also be infected by the vector but it's a benign infection.
Heartworm
Canine heartworm is a life-threatening Vector-Borne Disease caused by a nematode parasite named Dirofilaria immitis.
This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes while they bite.
Despite considerable efforts for prevention, the disease keeps spreading in different zones of the world.
Leishmaniosis
Canine visceral leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan pathogen named Leishmania infantum.
Although other routes of transmission are possible, this parasite is mainly transmitted by the bites of small phlebotomine sand flies.
It's a severe zoonotic disease spreading across the world.
Anaplasmosis
Canine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an intra-cellular bacteria (Anaplasma phagocytophilum or A. platys). Also called tick-fever, this pathogen is transmitted by Ixodes ticks. The first signs can be observed after an incubation of 1 to 2 weeks after the infectious bite.
Ehrlichiosis
Canine ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an intra-cellular bacteria (Ehrlichia spp.).
This pathogen is usually transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks.
Transmission can occur within the first three hours of the tick infestation.
Clinical signs can be severe and and tick control is the first line of prevention.
Tick-borne encephalitis - TBE
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a vector-borne disease caused by a flavivirus (family Flaviviridae).
This pathogen is transmitted within a few minutes through Ixodes tick bites.
In addition to fever, tick-borne encephalitis infection is characterized by changes in behavior and neurologic signs.
The severe form is often fatal for dogs.
This vector-borne disease is predominantly found in central, eastern and northern Europe.