Lyme Disease and Dogs — Things to consider if you live in or travel to an area where Lyme disease is endemic. It has all the information you need to protect your pet.
catch lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria carried by deer ticks (also known as blacklegged ticks). And deer ticks are small! On average, the width is about 3 mm. Or the size of a sesame seed.
These very small threats will hit your dog while hiking through the woods or high grass. The bacteria move into your dog’s bloodstream when they bite your puppy and feed on his blood. It causes problems not only in specific organs and joints, but also in common diseases.
Your dog can carry the bacteria in its body for two to five months before showing symptoms. Trust me, limes are one souvenir you don’t want to bring home from your vacation.
Lyme disease symptoms in dogs
Most dogs show no symptoms after being infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Some people have swollen and painful joints, lameness, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever.
Lime can also cause kidney and heart problems, but this is rare. Also, if your pet has been ill for a long time, they tend to develop severe symptoms. But at worst, extreme cases can be fatal.
When symptoms appear, they may appear suddenly. It’s also easy to attribute stiff joints to arthritis, especially if you have an older dog.
However, Lyme stiffness can travel from one joint to another. Therefore, if your dog is lame in his right leg one day and his left leg the next after visiting an area where Lyme disease is common, it’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian for a blood test. .
Where limes are common
Lyme disease is most commonly diagnosed in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Upper Midwest. It also appears to be increasing in the Pacific Northwest.
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Treating dogs with Lyme disease
The typical treatment for Lyme disease is a series of antibiotics. A common choice is doxycycline.
Unfortunately, this parasite is good at hiding inside the body, so don’t expect your dog to be cured after treatment. Symptoms may reappear months or years later. Therefore, you should be aware of the possibility of flare-ups.
Can dogs get Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is not transmitted directly from dogs. However, if a tick bites your dog and then bites a person, it can become infected.
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Protect your dog from Lyme disease
When traveling with pets, it’s a good idea to do a little research on the types of parasites you might encounter and be prepared.
before going
Several vaccinations are available for Lyme disease in dogs, but all have their own risks. Deciding whether to vaccinate your pet is definitely a conversation with your veterinarian.
There are many flea and tick preventatives on the market.Most I’ve researched claim to kill ticks within 48 hours of contact with a treated pet. American Lyme Disease FoundationOn average, ticks begin transmitting disease 36 to 48 hours after they are attached, so treating your pet will reduce the chances of infection, but not guarantee it.
If your dog is sensitive to conventional flea and tick preventatives, natural insect repellent.
avoid limes while on the go
Encourage your dog to stick to the trail while hiking. The more untouched areas you explore, the more likely you are to pick up ticks.
Every day you should brush your dog. Then check it thoroughly for any small bugs you may have missed and follow up the next day. So spend extra time observing puppies with double coats or dark fur.
If you find yourself bitten by a tick, it’s important to get rid of it completely. The best way is tick twister (Amazon).you can also buy tick remover (Amazon) Attach it to your keychain.
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protect yourself from ticks
Don’t forget your own safety when taking care of your dog.clothing and hiking his gear Products containing 0.5% permethrin (Amazon). Tuck your pant legs into your socks to keep ticks from getting under your clothes.
And don’t forget to check yourself and your human hiking partners for ticks too. not.
Don’t let Lyme disease affect your dog
May is Lyme Awareness Month. As you prepare for summer adventures with your puppy, take care to protect your dog (and yourself) from Lyme disease. Why would a little buggy ruin your fun?
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