Lyme Disease
The signs of Lyme disease can take months to develop and are easily mistaken for signs of flu or arthritis. The most common sign is lameness due to joint pain but other signs include tiredness, loss of appetite, fever and arthritis. In rare instances, untreated Lyme disease can lead to more serious complications such as heart disease, neurologic disease, kidney disease and, in rare cases, death. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care but prevention is the best medicine.
Be proactive in preventing Lyme disease in your dog with a comprehensive tick – borne disease control program. You should examine your dog daily for ticks and, if you find any, remove it with tweezers. Keep your dog on effective tick control year round and vaccinate your dog every year for Lyme disease. In an area like ours, 75% of unvaccinated dogs will contract Lyme disease. The Lyme vaccine works by blocking transmission – from tick to dog – of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease and generates protective antibodies. Vaccination is most effective when given at an early age with the initial vaccine series followed by yearly boosters. Also, consider performing a 4Dx test on your pet every year especially if they have known tick exposure. This test requires a small amount of blood and tests for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and two other tick borne illnesses which are becoming more prevalent and for which there are no vaccines. Call today to see if your dog is as protected as it should be.
Lyme Disease Risk Assessment -If you answer yes to any of these questions or find a tick on your pet call and ask about Lyme vaccination and tick control.
Does your dog live in a suburban home next to wildlife areas?
Is your dog’s yard surrounded by tall brush?
Does your dog go walking, hiking, picnicking, fishing or camping in wooded areas?
Does your dog frequent areas with a lot of deer or wildlife (parks, wooded or grassy areas)?
Does your dog ever run through tall grass, underbrush or bushes?
Is it likely that you would miss seeing a tick the size of a pinhead on your dog?
Have you removed a tick from your dog in the last year?