With the exception of AIDS, Lyme disease is considered the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S. Surveillance data for Lyme disease in the dog is not compiled on a nationwide basis. Experts, however, believe that Lyme disease exposure in the dog may be 6 to 10 times greater than that reported In humans. While no one knows for sure, there are several possible explanations. Studies have shown that waterfowl and other migratory birds, for instance, have helped disperse the infected tick. Dogs and wildlife that run in infected fields can bring infected ticks back to suburban locations and backyards.
Dogs traveling with their owners can spread infected ticks to distant locations.
Secluded wooded areas where people live or spend leisure time are the natural environments for ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria. Also, recent research has shown that dogs may be reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi . That is, without appearing sick, dogs may harbor the Lyme disease bacteria, and spread the bacteria to previously uninfected ticks - much in the same way deer and mice are known to do. This does not mean you can catch Lyme disease from your dog, just that he could helping to spread the disease by infecting new ticks. A. Clinical signs of Lyme disease in pets include arthritis, sudden onset of severe pain and lameness, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and depression.