Tips for Lyme Disease Prevention in Pets
Slow-moving parasites awaken as the cold of winter slowly fades and the warmth of spring arrives. As a result, April is the ideal month to observe Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month. Take steps to lessen the risk that your pet may provide a ride—or a meal—for ticks, and learn how to recognize common Lyme disease symptoms to ensure your canine companion receives the care they require.
Canine Lyme disease symptoms
Although just 5% to 10% of infected dogs display symptoms, Lyme disease is one of the most widespread tick-borne infections in the world. The condition may also take months to manifest after the initial tick bite.
Lyme disease signs in dogs can include:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Inappetence
- Painful, inflamed joints
Antibiotics help lessen the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, but they don’t usually entirely eradicate it, and chronic illness might result. As the illness in your dog recurs, the symptoms may wax and wane. Vomiting, diarrhea, and an increased need to urinate are signs of kidney disease, which may also occur, although it is not as common.
How to guard your pet against Lyme illness
Lyme illness can have long-lasting repercussions on your pet’s health and its adverse effects on you. By taking the following precautions, you can help protect your family and pet from the severe challenges that the illness brings about:
- Cut your lawn — Mow your lawn frequently since ticks are infrequently spotted in short grass.
- Refrain from walking in tick habitat — Even though taking your dog for a walk in the woods might be a lot of fun, thick brush and leafy waste are hotspots for ticks.
- Check your pet — Thoroughly check your pet for attached or crawling ticks. The groin, under the tail, between the toes, and close to the ears are also common locations.
- Administer tick prevention — By eliminating ticks before they have an opportunity to spread the pathogen, monthly tick prevention will protect your pet from Lyme disease.
- Vaccinate your pet — Ask your veterinarian if a Lyme disease immunization may be appropriate for your dog.
Regular tick prevention helps protect your pet from Lyme disease, which can cause lifelong illness. For advice on the best tick preventive for your pet, get in touch with our staff.