Lyme Disease is a serious illness transmitted through tick bites infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. During the summer season, pets tend to spend more time outdoors exploring, going on walks, or hiking. As adventurous as it may sound, this time is also declared a Lyme disease war zone. Why? Because tick-borne illnesses are at their peak during this time. We understand you cannot lock your pets in a cage during summer. But, you must take precautionary measures to ensure their safety from this potentially fatal disease. The illness can cause long-term health hazards for dogs, cats, and horses.
Dogs can display numerous symptoms of Lyme Disease. Some of these include;
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Swollen joints
- Sudden weight loss
Here are some useful tips that will help you to protect your precious domestic animals from tick-borne diseases
Check your pet for ticks
To prevent Lyme disease, it is recommended that you examine your pets for pests regularly. Ticks transmit the disease when attached to dogs for 24-48 hours approximately.
Always examine your pet after coming back from an outdoor adventure. Removing ticks can prevent the occurrence of Lyme disease along with other dangerous tick-borne illnesses such as; Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, canine anaplasmosis, and canine ehrlichiosis. Numerous tick collars, shampoos, and powders are available to help you detect the presence of parasites.
You can also look out for ticks in the following body parts:
- In and around the ears
- Around the tail
- Under the collar
- Between the toes
- Between the back legs
Mow your yard regularly
The deer ticks that carry Lyme disease are commonly found in shady and moist areas, around tall trees, and in marshy areas. Take care of your yard by removing the leaf litter and sloppy woodpiles and, of course, pulling tall weeds. These areas are hiding places for ticks, therefore, mowing the lawn regularly can help you to get rid of them effectively.
Protect your pet by using high-quality tick preventives
Another great idea to protect your dogs from Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is to use high-quality tick preventives.
They come in the form of oral medications and topical treatments to protect dogs, cats, and horses from the hazardous effects of Lyme disease. Speak with your veterinarian to decide which tick preventive is ideal for your precious pet. Moreover, you can shop for preventives from the online pharmacy shop.
Consult your veterinarian if you notice any symptoms of Lyme disease
We cannot emphasize this enough! Please consult us immediately if you notice any symptoms of Lyme disease. The illness is preventable, but if left untreated, it can prove to be fatal for your pet.
To schedule an appointment, visit South Hyland Hospital.
Get your pets vaccinated for Lyme disease!
If you live in an area surrounded by moist woods or tall trees or if your pets spend considerable time outside in the summers, you must get them vaccinated for Lyme disease. The first dose can be given as a puppy, followed by a booster shot within 4 weeks. After the completion of the initial vaccination, your dog must receive a booster vaccine annually to remain protected.
We hope that the above preventive tips will help you to protect your pets from Lyme disease and other harmful tick-borne illnesses. At South Hyland Hospital, keeping your pet healthy is taken very seriously. Therefore, we recommend you consult our vets’ expert team to care for your fur babies.
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