Discussing The Important Month Long Holiday That Aims To Stop Lyme Disease In Dogs Before It Happens
The month of April signals the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. However, April is known for more than just the beginning of warmer weather. The entire month of April is widely acknowledged and celebrated as Prevent Lyme Disease In Dogs Month. Never heard of Prevent Lyme Disease In Dogs Month? Don’t worry because Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking has you covered! This article will cover everything you need to know about this wonderful, educational, pet themed holiday.
Lyme Disease
The C.D.C. defines Lyme disease as a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of an infected tick. The bacteria itself is called Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is a serious illness and is considered the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. Sadly, Lyme disease usually isn’t diagnosed until after seeing symptoms. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include fatigue, fever, skin rashes, and headaches.
Is There A Cure For Lyme Disease?
Yes, Lyme disease can be cured in both dogs and people. Because Lyme disease is a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics. It usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks to be treated. However, if left unnoticed and/or untreated, it can result in kidney failure and even death. If you find ticks on your dog or if your dog is showing any of the aforementioned symptoms, be sure to have them checked out by your local veterinarian ASAP.
How Do Dogs Get Lyme Disease
As previously mentioned, Lyme disease is spread through the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. However, not all ticks carry this bacteria. Blacklegged ticks, also referred to as deer ticks, are the most common vector for carrying this bacteria. These ticks typically wait along the tip of blades of grass and will jump onto unsuspecting victims as they walk by. Ticks are very tiny and can be easy to miss if your dog has thick and/or dark colored fur.
Blacklegged Ticks
According to the Minnesota Department Of Health, Blacklegged ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas with thick undergrowth and tall grass. They prefer shady, moist areas and are more prevalent along the eastern and north eastern coast of the U.S. Ticks don’t handle the cold weather very well and are usually only a problem during warmer weather. Because of this, April was designated as Prevent Lyme Disease In Dogs Month as it is essentially the beginning of tick season.
How To Prevent Lyme Disease In Dogs
Lyme disease is a very serious condition that can cause very painful and debilitating symptoms. However, there are several different ways you can prevent your dog from contracting Lyme disease. Here are just a few ways to stop Lyme disease before it happens.
Vaccinations:
There is a vaccine available for dogs that helps prevent Lyme disease. However, this vaccine should only be administered on dogs that are at high risk of being in contact with infected ticks. If your dog spends a lot of time in wooded areas with tall grass and vegetation, then this is a good option. Always consult with your veterinarian first to see if this vaccine is necessary for your furry friend.
Flea & Tick Products:
There are currently three different types of flea & tick medications for dogs on the market today. They include oral medication, collars, and topical solutions.
- The topical solutions are the safest and most effective option as the treatment is placed on the dogs skin and usually lasts for 4 to six weeks.
- The flea & tick collar helps prevent ticks, but they aren’t as effective at covering the whole dog’s body the way topical treatment does.
- Lastly, the oral medication is effective at keeping ticks away. However, it isn’t the safest option as your dog is ingesting chemicals that could lead to serious side effects like tremors, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Check For Ticks After Being Outdoors:
It’s a good habit to routinely check both yourself and your dog for ticks after being outdoors in wooded or tall grassy areas. Ticks usually take a while to crawl on your dog in order to find a good spot to bite. If you can catch a tick on your dog quickly enough, you can prevent any chance of them biting and infecting your dog. The warmest spots, such as the belly and between the pits, are typical spots for ticks to be lurking.
An Important Holiday
This is more than just another pet themed holiday. This is an educational holiday that reminds dog owners about the importance of tick prevention. Although Lyme disease is treatable, it is still a very serious illness that should not be taken lightly. The symptoms of Lyme disease are painful and can lead to serious health complications if left untreated for too long. We encourage you to take the aforementioned preventative measures and stop Lyme disease before it happens.
More Pet Themed Articles
We hope you found this article informative and that it will help you be more prepared to prevent your dog from contracting Lyme disease. For more pet themed and pet holiday articles like this, check out the blog section of our website by clicking here. Did we mention we do pet sitting & dog walking? If you’re interested in pet sitting services, be sure to check out our official Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking website.
