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Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to dogs by deer tick bites. As the tick begins to engorge, the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorfer, is transmitted to the dog's bloodstream.
The most typical signs of Lyme disease are painful, swollen joints that can cause lameness, lack of appetite, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. Signs can appear 2-5 months after transmission. Some dogs can develop an often fatal form of lyme which affects the kidneys. Any dog testing positive for lyme, should be monitored, on an ongoing basis, for kidney degeneration through a simple urine test looking for excess protein levels.
Lyme prevention is a multilayered approach:
1. Environmental control of your property and where your dog spends it's time is critical to reducing your dog's exposure to Lyme disease. Removing tall grass and leaves from your property and using barriers between wooded areas and your yard with things such as mulch can help ticks from coming into your yard. Your dog should be checked daily for ticks and removed promptly when found.
2.Tick control products which prevent attachment of ticks are the best for controlling the number of tick getting on your dog. These are applied topically to dogs to prevent the tick from biting.
3.There is a vaccination that is available for Lyme disease. If your animal has been through a Lyme season (i.e. spring and/or fall), then they should be tested for Lyme exposure prior to vaccination. Once known to be negative or treated if positive, an initial vaccine is given then a booster is required 2-3 weeks later. After that, the vaccination is updated yearly at your dog's annual Wellness Exam.
Yes. Once lyme has been diagnosed, your dog can be treated with antibiotics for 28 days. A second test is performed about 4 months after treatment, to ensure the treatment was successful.
Currently, Lyme disease is not a problem in cats. Humans, however, are also at risk for the disease. Daily tick checks on all members of the family (furry or not) can help prevent this.
Call or visit us to arrange testing, vaccinations and to let us help you determine which tick prevention is the best for you.
I wanted to thank you again for your help last Friday. There are many animals on my farm. I love them all but I was particularly fond of little Gabby. It was only a couple weeks ago we saw her rolling in the dirt and so delighted with herself and I remember how she loved to lay on Jeff's chair and bat the tail of our other cat as she walked by. I had hoped she could have experienced more of these joys in her life.
Your skill in diagnosing and presenting her case and your compassion in helping me understand what was best for Gabby was very much appreciated.