Lyme Disease Prevention Tips
April is the Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, as the warming spring temperatures awaken parasites. To reduce the risk of ticks infesting your pet, take action, and learn how to identify common Lyme disease symptoms in your four-legged friend to provide them with appropriate treatment.
Lyme disease signs in dogs
Lyme disease is a prevalent illness spread by ticks, but only a small percentage (5% to 10%) of dogs actually show symptoms. Additionally, some dogs may not display signs of illness until months after being bitten. Lyme disease signs in dogs can include:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Lethargy
- Inappetence
- Painful, inflamed joints
It may be helpful to know that antibiotics can lessen the amount of bacteria that causes Lyme disease in dogs, but it might not eradicate it completely. Also, it’s possible for dogs to develop a recurring, chronic illness that comes and goes with varying symptoms. While it’s rare, kidney disease may also occur and can be recognized if a dog experiences vomiting, diarrhea, and an increased desire to drink water and urinate.
How to protect your pet from Lyme disease
Lyme disease doesn’t just affect humans, it can also have long-term health effects on pets. To safeguard your family and pets from the serious complications caused by the disease, follow these steps:
- Mow your lawn regularly to reduce the chances of finding ticks, as they are not commonly found in short grass.
- To avoid ticks, please avoid walking in areas where ticks are likely to be found. This includes tall brush and leafy debris that can be found in wooded areas, even if your pet enjoys exploring there.
- Thoroughly check your pet for ticks, both crawling and attached. Common areas where ticks may be found include near the ears, in the groin area, under the tail, and between the toes.
- To protect your pet from Lyme disease, make sure to give them tick prevention medicine every month. This will kill any ticks before they are able to pass on the disease.
- Consult your veterinarian to determine whether Lyme vaccination is appropriate for your dog, and make sure to vaccinate your pet.
Regular tick prevention can protect your pet from being affected by Lyme disease, which can cause long-term illness. Reach out to our team to figure out the most suitable tick preventive for your four-legged companion.