Spring is here…and so are the ticks. Ticks are more than just a nuisance. They’re a potential health hazard for your entire family.
Ticks are responsible for several diseases, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states, but it is most prevalent on the East Coast.
Lyme disease was first described in 1883, but the cause of Lyme disease—a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi—wasn’t discovered until 1982, almost 100 years later.
The bacteria that causes Lyme disease is transmitted to pets and people via tick bites. A tick must be attached for at least 24 hours before it can pass the bacteria through its saliva and into the bite wound.
Both dogs and cats can become infected with the Lyme bacteria, but only dogs show symptoms of Lyme disease. Horses can also develop Lyme disease.
Common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include fever, decreased appetite, listlessness, joint pain or swollen joints, and lameness. Dogs may limp or seem painful in more than one leg.
Lyme disease is easily treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline. Most pets are treated for 3-4 weeks. Sometimes antibiotic therapy kills most but not all of the bacteria. If this happens and your pet’s symptoms reoccur, your pet may need to be treated again.
How to prevent Lyme disease in your pets:
1. Pets should be checked daily for ticks. Remove and destroy any ticks that are found.
2. A vaccine to prevent Lyme disease is available through veterinarians.
3. Flea and tick preventives, such as topical medications or tick collars, are essential in reducing the number of ticks on your pets.
