Protecting Pets from Lyme disease: Free Awareness Resources (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Jul 5, 2017
Lyme disease is an infectious disease that is emerging in many parts of Canada, impacting both people and animals. It is caused by the bite of infected blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks, often found in forests, wooded areas, shrubs, tall grass and leaf piles.
Lyme disease can cause severe complications if not treated early. The best form of protection against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites.
Some precautions pet owners can take to protect their pets while enjoying the outdoors in spring, summer and fall months are to:
- Consider using tick prevention products, including Lyme disease vaccines available for dogs.
- Check pets daily for ticks if coming in from the outdoors where ticks can be found, and promptly remove any attached ticks with tweezers. Owners should be made aware that ticks can be as small as a poppy seed.
- Become familiar with known risk areas for Lyme disease.
The Public Health Agency of Canada developed a Lyme disease poster for pet owners. This bilingual poster can be placed in clinic waiting rooms to provide clients with Lyme disease prevention tips for their pets.
To order a free copy of the poster and other awareness resources, visit Canada.ca/LymeDisease.