Lyme Disease is not just something a human can catch. Dogs can catch Lyme Disease too! And now that the weather is warmer, ticks are out and about – yuck!. A bonus of the warmer weather though is that dogs get to spend more time outdoors, whether in their backyard, going for walks around the neighborhood, visiting a park and even hiking! This increases the chance of both humans and dogs to get bitten by a tick. And if that tick carries the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease – then both human and pup are in for a nasty ride!
Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. Ticks are most active during the month of July, but a rise in Lyme Disease cases comes in the months of May through August, when the weather is at it’s warmest.
If a dog contacts Lyme Disease, the main symptom is lameness. One or more of your pup’s joints will become swollen and painful to the touch. This can last from a few days up to several months, and it can have reoccurrences and flair ups even after the bacteria has been treated. Another common problem is kidney ailments which if left untreated can cause kidney disease. Sometimes dogs will also run a fever, lose their appetite and lose weight, and they may have less of a desire to be active.
Lyme Disease is diagnosed through blood tests, examination of the tick bite site as well as ruling out other potential causes for the symptoms. The vet may suspect arthritis is the cause of your pup’s joint problems, and may recommend X-rays to prove or disprove this as the cause.
If the symptoms are not severe, your dog can be treated at home with antibiotics and rest. If the symptoms are severe, hospitalization may be recommended. And unfortunately, symptoms may never fully disappear or may reoccur even after the bacterial infection has been treated with medication.
To prevent Lyme Disease in your dog, avoid being in known tick-infested areas. Also, there are a variety of tick-repelling sprays, collars, and topical treatments that your vet may recommend. And during tick season, it’s important to check your dog regularly for ticks.
If a tick is found, first restrain your pup. He is not going to be happy about what you have to do! You should use tweezers and grab the tick by the head as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out away from the skin in a slow but firm manner and be sure not to squeeze or twist the tick. To kill the tick, place it in a small bag with some rubbing alcohol. Clean the spot where you removed the tick on your pup with a disinfectant or antibiotic cleanser. Watch the spot and the dog for any symptoms of Lyme Disease and contact your vet if symptoms appear.
Thanks for reading everyone! Have a safe and healthy tick-free summer!
Matthew Scott
Owner, Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting
http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com