Lyme
disease in pets, learn what you can to prevent it
Ahh,
there's nothing like the great outdoors. You and your
dog have just had an invigorating hike through the woods
and just before jumping in the car, you check yourself
for the possibility of deer ticks. But did you check
your dog? Lyme disease can happen in dogs just as in
humans and they are being exposed to deer ticks at higher
rates than ever. In some areas of the country, exposure
can be anywhere from 40 to 100%, depending on the size
of the nearby deer population.
If your pet does have the bacteria, how can you tell?
The
first sign of that these pathegens may be present appears
in the form of a rash which is not going to be easy
to detect under all of that fur. Other symptoms of the
disease are joint pains, lymph node swelling and a high
fever. Your dog may begin by limping slightly with the
limp getting progressively worse over a span of 3 -
5 days. At this point he will be so seriously affected
by the Lyme bacteria he will probably be in too much
pain to move. And since this affliction is called "The
Great Imitator" because it has often been mistakenly
diagnosed let your vet know you suspect your dog may
have Lyme disease. There is probably a good chance that
this is the case if your dog was running around happy
just a few days before and is now feeling miserably
ill.
The good news is that your vet can start treatment immediately
with an antibiotic such as tetracycline and possibly
some aspirin if the dog is in a lot of pain. Over ninety
percent of dogs treated within the first week of obvious
signs of this problem will respond rapidly to treatment
with a tetracycline antibiotic. Be sure to follow the
vet's directions. If your pet needs to take the antibiotics
for three weeks, don't stop the treatment as soon as
they start to feel better. You want to make sure that
that nasty bacteria is completely out of your dog's
system as there is a small chance of a relapse later
in life.
What about Prevention?
First, try and minimize contact. Keep your lawn cut
and clear away debris to reduce the areas where ticks
can thrive around your home. Be careful where you walk
your dog, especially in summer during the height of
tick season.
Second, there are repellents and anti-tick medications
but be careful not to use these at the same time - you
want to get rid of the ticks, not the dog. Consult with
your vet if your dog is on medication before applying
any repellent. Some of the most commonly used anti-tick
medications are Frontline Plus and K9 Advantix. These
also repel fleas and mosquitoes.
A third option is to have your dog vaccinated against
the disease. There are three vaccinations that have
been approved for use in dogs. And while these are effective,
keep in mind that nothing is 100% and there can always
be adverse reactions to a vaccine. This is definitely
something to consider if you live in a high risk area
as a tool to aid in the prevention of Lyme disease in
your dog. Learn all you can about the disease and get
advice from your vet. Keep an eye on your pet and if
he starts to show any symptoms, you'll know what to
do.
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