Thought I'd share this with anyone who was interested.
Ticks are an obvious annoyance to both you as a pet owner and to your pet. More importantly, ticks can be a carrier for many diseases including Lyme disease. Understanding how this disease is transmitted, tested for, diagnosed, treated, and prevented will help you to keep your pet safe.
In the 1980s, public health professionals became aware of a form of infectious arthritis in the areas of Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut — hence the name, Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by small ticks of the genus Ixodes. These ticks are also known as deer ticks because various species of deer are the main hosts for the adult ticks. Lyme disease is most often transmitted to people and pets by an immature tick, which feeds on smaller animals. Lyme disease occurs primarily in dogs and is extremely rare in cats.
Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs differs from symtoms in humans. Humans primarily complain of flu-like symptoms and a rash. A dog with Lyme disease will usually demonstrate limping and generalized pain. The limping can be in only one leg or it can shift from leg to leg. He or she may also have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a decreased appetite. In rare cases, a dog can develop renal (kidney) disease as a result of infection which can cause serious illness.
It is important to have your dog examined by your veterinarian if you see any of the above symptoms. There are blood tests available to assist in diagnosing Lyme disease. This testing can often times be performed right in your veterinarian's office. These tests are not 100% accurate but they can assist your veterinarian in making a more definitive diagnosis especially when there is a history of tick exposure and obvious symptoms. X-rays and other blood and/or urine tests may also be necessary to rule out other problems.
Lyme disease is often a very treatable problem. A three to four week course of antibiotics such as Doxycycline and Amoxicillin are typically prescribed. Clinical improvement is usually obvious within 48-72 hours of initiating treatment. In severe cases where the kidneys have been affected, other treatments such as fluids given under the skin or intravenously and a special diet may also be recommended.
Preventing Lyme disease is the best way to be proactive. Always check your pet closely for ticks. A tick must stay attached for 24-48 hours to cause infection so removing ticks promptly can help prevent illness. Unfortunately, deer ticks are very small so they are easy to miss. Your veterinarian can teach you how to identify the different types of ticks and properly remove and dispose of them. There are also a variety of products on the market that can help prevent Lyme disease since they work to repel and/or kill ticks.
There is also a vaccine for dogs that is commercially available for Lyme disease. It is not considered a core vaccination, but it may be something to consider if you reside in a region where Lyme disease is prevalent, such as the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The vaccine is only helpful in dogs before any exposure to Lyme spirochetes (bacteria) has taken place. Your veterinarian can run a test in the office that can help detect exposure. The vaccination needs to be given initially two times a month apart and then yearly. The vaccines that are available are controversial and they are also not 100% effective. It is important to speak with your veterinarian regarding whether or not vaccination is right for your dog.
Awareness of Lyme disease symptoms, treatment, and prevention can help to keep your pet protected and can help to initiate treatment promptly should you see symptoms.
All You Need to Know About Lyme Disease? | It's a Pet's Life | PetFoodDirect.com