Lyme Disease Prevention Tips
April is Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, as warmer spring temperatures bring parasites out of hibernation. To protect your pet from ticks and Lyme disease, learn how to spot common symptoms and take preventative measures.
How to protect your pet from Lyme disease
Lyme disease can have long-lasting impacts on your pet’s health, as well as affecting you. You can safeguard both your family and pet by taking the steps below to ward off the disease’s severe complications.
- Cut your lawn — To avoid ticks, it’s recommended to regularly mow your yard since they are not commonly found in short grass.
- Refrain from walking in tick habitat — Walking in the woods may be a thrilling adventure for your pet, but keep in mind that ticks often inhabit tall brush and leafy debris.
- Check your pet — Make sure to thoroughly check your pet for ticks that are crawling or attached. Some common spots to check include near the ears, in the groin area, under the tail, and between the toes.
- Administer tick prevention — Giving your pet monthly tick prevention can protect them from getting Lyme disease. It works by killing ticks before they can spread the disease-causing pathogen.
- Vaccinate your pet — It is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to determine if getting your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease is appropriate.
Lyme disease signs in dogs
Although Lyme disease is a prevalent tick-borne illness worldwide, only 5% to 10% of dogs who contract it show symptoms. Additionally, the illness may not become apparent until months after the initial tick bite.
Lyme disease signs in dogs can include:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Inappetence
- Painful, inflamed joints
Sometimes, antibiotics may not completely eliminate the bacterium that causes Lyme disease in dogs, which can result in the development of chronic illness. The symptoms may come and go as the disease recurs. It is worth noting that although rare, kidney disease can also occur, which can be identified by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.
Regular tick prevention can help defend your pet against Lyme disease, which can cause lifelong illness. Please get in touch with our team to find out which tick-prevention method is most suitable for your furry friend.
