How to Keep Your Pet Safe from Lyme Disease
Sluggish parasites awaken as chilly winter weather gradually fades and mild spring temps approach. This makes April an ideal month for Lyme Disease Prevention in Dogs Month. Take steps to decrease your pet’s likelihood of providing ticks with a ride—or a meal—and learn how to recognize typical Lyme disease symptoms to ensure your four-legged companion receives the care they require.
Lyme disease symptoms in dogs
Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne infections in the world, although only 5% to 10% of afflicted dogs display symptoms, and the condition may not manifest itself for months after the original bite.
Lyme disease signs in dogs can include:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Inappetence
- Painful, inflamed joints
Antibiotics can lessen, but not usually entirely eliminate, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and chronic disease can develop. As your dog’s sickness recurs, the symptoms may wax and wane. Although rare, renal illness can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.
How to Keep Your Pet Safe from Lyme Disease
Lyme illness can have long-term impacts on your pet’s health in addition to you. You may protect your pet and family from the disease’s deadly consequences by taking the following steps:
- Cut your lawn — Ticks are uncommon in short grass, so keep your lawn mowed on a regular basis.
- Avoid walking in tick habitat — While going for a walk in the woods can be a fun excursion for your pet, thick bushes and leafy litter are ideal tick habitats.
- Examine your pet — Check your pet thoroughly for crawling or attached ticks. Prime locations are near the ears, in the crotch, under the tail, and between the toes.
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Apply tick preventive — Monthly tick prevention protects your pet from Lyme disease by killing ticks before they may transmit the pathogen.
- Vaccinate your pet — Consult your veterinarian to see if Lyme disease immunization is appropriate for your dog.
Lyme disease can cause lifelong illness in your pet, but frequent tick prevention will help protect him. Please contact our team for assistance in determining which tick preventive is best for your pet.