Lyme disease is a common tick-borne disease in dogs. Fortunately, monthly precautions keep them safe from worries like these, but nothing is 100% effective. So, with Lyme disease on the rise, it’s a good time to make sure your dog is as protected as possible.
Veterinarians in Maine are seeing cases of Lyme disease at least once a day, more than in previous summers. They believe there are several factors contributing to these increased numbers, and they recommend many of the precautions pet parents take to keep ticks away from their furry friends.
Increased risk of Lyme disease
Dr. Julia Lucas from the Cumberland Animal Clinic in Maine says she’s been very busy because of the increase in Lyme disease cases. She says one of the first signs is when pets seem tired or lethargic. After that, symptoms can quickly worsen if left undetected.
“We notice at least positives every day, sometimes two or three positives per day for our blood work,” says Lucas.
Dr Lucas believes the increase this year is due to rising temperatures that made ticks more active at the start of the year. She also points out that a lot of people have pets for the first time during a pandemic, so they may not know how to protect their pets from fleas and ticks.
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Ticks need to be attached to dogs for at least 24 hours to spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease can be mild for months but can eventually be life-threatening if not noticed promptly. Deer ticks (also known as black-legged ticks) are the most common carriers of Lyme disease bacteria.
According to Dr. Lucas, cats don’t have the same risk of Lyme disease as dogs because they are more resistant to bacteria.
Common Symptoms of Canine Lyme Disease
If you recently had to get rid of ticks from your dog, you should be on the lookout for symptoms of Lyme disease. Ticks that are detected immediately won’t have enough time to transmit the bacteria to your dog, but these tiny creatures are easy to spot in your dog’s coat.
Here are some symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs:
- Comatose
- The lameness
- Joint swelling
- Stiffness
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
In severe cases, Lyme disease can cause kidney damage in dogs. It can also harm the heart and nervous system.
If you notice one or more of the symptoms listed above, even if you don’t find ticks on your dog, you should schedule a vet checkup. It’s better to be safe than sorry for your puppy’s health.
Can Lyme Disease Be Treated?
Yes, Lyme disease in dogs can be treated with antibiotics for about 30 days. On a case-by-case basis, persistent symptoms may occur, requiring further treatment.
Fortunately, Lyme disease is not contagious and cannot be passed from dogs to other pets or people. However, if you are in the same environment as your dog, make sure you check yourself for ticks.
How to prevent Lyme disease
Prevention is key to keeping ticks away, and it can help you worry less about your dog getting sick. Anywhere long grass can bring ticks, even backyards and parks. So you don’t have to camp or hike in a deserted area to put your dog at risk.
Conduct regular Tick check
Checking your dog for ticks is the best way to keep them safe. Feel the small lumps around their body that could be ticks, especially right after they’ve passed through tall grass. If you see ticks climbing on you or biting them, remove them immediately. Using tweezers is the easiest way to safely remove.
Ticks like to bite soft parts of the body or hidden areas. So keep an eye out around their toes, ears, lips, and buttocks.
Monthly preventive use
No matter where you live, your dog should get some flea and tick prevention. Most options need to be given every 30 days to be most effective, and topicals can be purchased at pet stores.
Oral preventatives are more effective than topical medications, but they require a veterinarian’s prescription. If you live somewhere that is warm year-round, they will be the safest choice for your puppy.
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Take your vet’s advice
If you want more tips on how to protect your dog from Lyme disease, talk to your veterinarian about precautions to take. There is a Lyme vaccine for canines, but it may not benefit every dog, so ask your vet if it’s right for your furry friend.
It is important to monitor ticks every year, but with Lyme disease on the rise, this is extremely important now. So if you haven’t checked your dog for ticks recently, do so as soon as possible. Even if they are being prevented, they can still be affected.
