LYME DISEASE PREVENTION « VIP Animal Care

August 20, 2013

LYME DISEASE PREVENTION

Filed under: — vipanimalcare @ 3:36 pm

Important Notice:  Protect your dog from this disease that is transmitted by ticks!

We at VIP Animal Care hope that you and your families have been enjoying the summer.  Knowing that typically more time is spent outdoors during the summer months, we feel it is important to inform you of the current status of LYME DISEASE here in Indiana.

Until recently, Lyme Disease has not been a big issue for us here in Indiana mainly because the Black Legged Ticks were not common here.  Historically, Lyme Disease was most prevalent in the Northeastern States and the Upper Midwest.  In 2011, the Companion Animal Parasite Council reported 1 out of 34 dogs tested in the state of Indiana were positive for Lyme Disease.   The number increased in 2012 to 1 out of 20 dogs  tested in the state of Indiana being positive for Lyme Disease.  Therefore, we believe that the increasing risk for your dog contracting Lyme Disease in Indiana does exist.

Lyme Disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world.  It is caused by a spirochete (bacteria) species of the Borrelia burgdorferi group.  The tick that transmits this disease is known as the Black Legged Ticks or commonly referred to as the Deer Tick.  Once infected, your dog may or may not show signs and symptoms of the disease and it may take many months for symptoms to appear.  Common symptoms are:  fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, swollen joints, inflamed lymph nodes, and lameness.  More serious complications include damage to the kidney and rarely heart and/or nervous system.

Fortunately, if we diagnose the Lyme Disease early on, we can treat for it with simple antibiotics.  However, we believe the PREVENTION is the key.  Please ask us about your choices for tick preventatives.  In addition, we are fortunate to have a VACCINE against Lyme Disease.  This is an annual vaccination like most vaccines; however, in order to initiate protection, we must booster the vaccine, meaning we need to give a second dose 3-4 weeks after the original dose.

Because we believe this is important for your dog’s health, for a limited time, we are offering to provide a FREE LYME BOOSTER to your dog.  This is a $ 30.00 Savings Value!  Simply call us to schedule an appointment for a tick borne disease prevention evaluation and to receive the initial Lyme vaccine.  The earlier we can vaccinate your dog the sooner we can protect against Lyme Disease!

VIP Animal Care

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Lyme Disease and Dogs: Symptoms and Prevention

Lyme Disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) carried by ticks, and is transmitted most commonly through the bite of deer ticks and black-legged ticks.  Deer ticks are common near the East Coast, and black-legged ticks near the West Coast. In the United States, Canine Lyme Disease is prevalent in the Northeastern states from Maine to Maryland,  and also in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon and Northern California.

In most areas of the U.S.,  April to November is commonly known as “tick season”, but keep in mind that infection can happen any time of the year.

Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs:

• Swollen or hot joints.


• Joint pain or tenderness. Symptoms are similar to (can mimic) arthritis.


• Poor appetite.


• Less active or playful.


• Limping- can set in as little as a 3 hours following an infection.


• Pain in one or both legs. The pain can also shift from one leg to another.


• A fever of 102 degrees or higher.


• Fatigue.


• Swollen lymph nodes.

When to see your vet:

• If your dog is not arthritic and you notice a sudden change in your dog’s mobility, especially after being in the woods/tick-borne areas, take your dog to the vet immediately.


• If you see any suspicious ticks, and your dog has symptoms listed above.

Prevention:

• The degree of necessary prevention depends upon exposure risk for Lyme disease.


•  Make screening for Lyme Disease a vital component of your dog’s annual vet exam.


• Vaccinations (early for puppies and boosters for adult dogs ) are the best protection.


• Groom your dog with as fine-a-toothed comb as possible. Detecting and removing ticks as early as possible will help to minimize the risk of Lyme Disease.


• Use tick prevention and tick-killing products to reduce your pet’s risk.

Other things to know:

• The symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic symptoms of other diseases, but the infection progresses very quickly in canines.


• Lyme disease can be managed easily if it is diagnosed on time.


• If untreated, symptoms might disappear, but may return weeks or months later.


• Some dogs are affected with the disease for over a year before showing symptoms. By this time, the disease may be quite widespread.

Have a great summer and enjoy the outdoors!!!

Related posts:

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Excess Weight Promotes Arthritis in Dogs (and People)

Freekibble: Help feed hungry dogs!

Can dogs get Lyme Disease? What"s the best prevention?

Our tick control programs enable your dog to enjoy being a dog. Loving the outdoors, by your side, safe from tick diseases.

Are you aware that your dog can become very sick from a tick? Many people assume that even though ticks are bothersome and revolting on your pet there is no cause for alarm, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Here in the U.S. there are four tick diseases that can infect your pooch. These are Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and yes the dreaded Lyme Disease. Each of these illnesses can wreak havoc on our health and the health of our pet as well. Along with disease, ticks can actually cause dangerous disorders such as Anemia in your dog as well.

Dread Skeeter keeps your family and your pets tick free all season

Symptoms that your dog may have a tick-borne illness can include a loss of appetite, lethargy and depression,  pain, diarrhea, vomiting, edema in the extremities, hemorrhaging, neurological disorders such as seizures, and even death.

In the North Shore area, Lyme disease in particular is an area of concern for residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actually chart the progression of Lyme disease in dogs through parasite prevalence maps which are provided by the CAPC ( Companion Animal Parasite Council) . These innovative maps are used in a new study by the CDC to predict which regions are at a greater risk of outbreaks of the disease. By keeping up with the information on canine occurrences in an area the CDC can pinpoint which areas are most vulnerable and better warn the citizens of that area to protect themselves against ticks that may be potential carriers of the disease. According to this data, we’re at high risk here in Massachusetts. One out of every fifteen dogs tested for Lyme Disease tested positive.

Kids and dogs love the outdoors and getting dirty in the spring and summer. Keep them both safe from tick-borne diseases with Mosquito Squad of the North Shore.

Along with having your veterinarian advise you on the best tick protection for your dog, as well as exercising tick safety during tick season, it is even more important to treat the areas where ticks thrive. Even the best laid plans that include spot-on canine tick treatments can falter and put your dog at risk.

It is important to pet owners and non-pet owners alike to protect themselves from ticks and the potential diseases that they carry. One way to discourage ticks is to keep up with your surroundings and take control of your property by keeping overgrowth, debris and brush to a minimum. Tick tubes are the one of the best weapons against ticks and Lyme disease along with seasonal spray protection. Tick tubes appear to be non-threatening, but on second glance they contain an arsenal of knowledge and tick abatement in a small tube.

How the tick tube works

The tick itself uses field mice as transport from the woods to you or your dog. The tick actually hitches a ride on the field mouse with the sole priority to “go home” with the mouse. The young tick is transported to the mouse’s den where it can feed, thrive and grow until it inevitably attaches to a host like man’s best friend or our kids while they are playing in their own backyard.  Tick tubes contain treated cotton which the mice use to “feather” their nests. The treated cotton breaks the cycle by killing the tick, but aiding the mouse in making a toasty warm bed. The treated cotton is safe for the mice, but lethal to the tick. Recent studies indicate that using tick tubes on your property can reduce your risk of coming into contact with an infected tick up to 90%. So your family, and your dog is happy and healthy.

Anthony Pascetta owner of Mosquito Squad of the North Shore with his right hand man- Dread Skeeter

Mosquito Squad of the North Shore uses tick tubes in conjunction with our seasonal barrier spray to keep you tick free all season. Our perfect pair of tick abatement programs keeps tick out of sight and out of mind. Go ahead, let Spot run and enjoy the season. Let your dog be a dog, and all that entails, but keep his tail waggin’ safe with tick control that stops the cycle of disease at the source.

Call us today for a free quote • (978) 887 – 1177 • email: northshore@mosquitosquad.com

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Kolin, Lyme Disease Prevention

This is  a guest post by Joyce about Lyme Disease and dogs…. please read it is very important…..

My name is Kollin. I am four years old and you can’t tell by looking at me, but I am sick.
I have a disease, it’s called Lyme Disease and the Lady who loves me is very hurt because
it could have been prevented if only she had known that there is a vaccine available for
Lyme Disease. Everyone knows about Lyme Disease, but not everyone knows that there is a vaccine for it. That was our case, we didn’t learn of it until the Lady brought Lexi
home last Summer to be my playmate. And when Lexi was vaccinated she received the
vaccine to keep her well.

When it was time for my check up my Lady ask for me to me to be vaccinated too. That
was when we learned that I am already infected. Dr. Tina explained to us that when the Lyme vaccine was first developed  that it wasn’t very effective and that Lyme’s wasn’t a
problem in our area. That in recent years more cases of  the illness are being reported and
that the vaccine is much more effective in preventing this disease so now all her patients
are told that the vaccine is available.

It is very important to have your pet tested as Dr. Tina told us Lyme’s is a very sneaky disease. It can lie dormant for a long time and the only way to know is by a blood test. In our area the test cost $ 32.00, and my Lady says that I’m well worth it.

She went on to tell us that it is very rare for a dog to be cured of Lyme’s that it goes into remission and then flares up again and again through out a dog’s lifetime. Flare ups are treated with antibiotics and pain relievers. She told my Lady that I may or may not develop a fever and to watch if I became lethargic, loose my appetite, that I may limp but
wouldn’t have to, I may just lie around because my joints are inflamed and sore, that I may have trouble urinating, have swelling in my lymph nodes that these are all signs of flare ups. I am being treated with antibiotics now. She said that as time goes on that we will need to test my kidney function to see if there is any damage there.

The only good thing about this is that we now have knowledge and can treat any future
flare ups. I may develop arthritis and left UNTREATED I could develop nephritis leading to kidney failure, permanent damage to heart , joints and nervous systems could occur .

Flea and tick solutions aren’t enough my Lady applied them monthly. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re alright because you live in a lower risk area, so do we compared to
other States. One tick, one time, one bite that’s all it takes. The only way to know is to
have your pet tested. The only way to protect them is to have them vaccinated . Do it for
the dog you love.

My best wishes that you and your dog will have many healthy and happy years together.
Kollin

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