Dog in Thunder Bay Infected with Lyme Disease

In Thunder Bay News On July 07, 2010 Add A Comment

One couple in Thunder Bay believes their dog may have been infected with Lyme Disease after going for a stroll at the city’s Chapples Park.

Chance, who is owned by Thunder Bay resident Tracie Smith, was diagnosed with the tick-borne disease by a local veterinarian on Friday morning. According to Tracie, she and her husband observed that Chance seemed to be suffering from stiffness and a sore shoulder after their trip to the park. A few days later, that discomfort moved to his rear leg, which the animal then stopped using altogether after only a few days due to the pain.

Those symptoms were compounded by a clear loss of appetite, prompting Tracie and her husband to look up the symptoms on the internet, which they later found fit the description of Lyme disease. While certainly not good news, the Smiths were still relieved, as the symptoms also matched those of a bone tumor, which would have been more disastrous for Chance.

The Smiths believe Chance picked up the disease in Chapples Park where they walked their two dogs a few weeks ago. After walking through a section of long grass, the couple found a tick on their Labrador, which has shorter hair, making it easier for ticks to be spotted.

Chance on the other hand, has long and thicker hair. The dog is currently being treated with antibiotics and pain meds for the discomfort.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere, and is spread through tick bites on dogs and even humans.