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Lyme disease is something almost everyone has heard of because it hugely prevalent and is something that affects humans —but it is a disease that also can affect your beloved family dog, Valerie. It is the number one tick borne disease in America and Canada. Although the symptoms humans present with (rashes and flu-like symptoms) are very different from the ones dogs exhibit, the cause is the same: a bite by a tick carrying the Lyme disease bacteria, going by the complicated name of Borrelia burgdorferi. Usually the type of tick that carries the bacteria is called a deer tick, so named because it commonly infects deer (specifically white-tailed deer). Other types of tick can also carry Lyme disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) tracks the prevalence of Lyme disease in humans, but not dogs. Nonetheless, the data can be useful when considering dogs as well, since ticks don’t discriminate between humans and dogs; they’re just looking for someone to bite. About 30,000 new cases are reported every year across the United States. The CDC report from 2010 found that a whopping 94% of cases occurred in just 12 of the 50 states. These were: • Connecticut • Delaware • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Minnesota • New Jersey • New Hampshire • New York • Pennsylvania • Virginia • Wisconsin These states are hubs for the spreading of Lyme disease. If you live in one of these areas, you should take some preventative measures like fencing off your property to prevent other animals from carrying ticks in. If that isn’t entirely possible, you can use tick-killing insecticide on your yard. Symptoms to Be Mindful Of Although many dogs infected with Lyme disease show no symptoms at all, the most common symptom associated with canine Lyme disease is arthritis-like problems in the joints. If you notice that Valerie is limping or favoring one side of her body or that her joints are sore and she cries a bit when you touch them, then she might be have been infected with Lyme disease. Often, the lameness will clear up for a while and then reoccur (possibly in a different location) some days later. Often, even these symptoms take a few weeks to show up after Valerie’s been bitten, so if you can’t recall an immediate situation where she might have been exposed to ticks, it may have been a while ago. Additionally, you may notice that she seems more lethargic or depressed than usual and may not want to eat. Ignoring these symptoms isn’t wise. If Lyme disease goes untreated, Valerie’s condition could worsen to the point where her kidneys become damaged, which is the second most common symptom of the bacteria in dogs. Especially in the 12 states mentioned above, most dogs are screened for Lyme disease routinely at the veterinarian. If you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, and in particular if Valerie spends a lot of time outdoors, it may be prudent to get her vaccinated for Lyme disease as soon as possible. Once bitten, the vaccination is not recommended, but if you do it beforehand, it could save Valerie a lot of pain. Tick season starts in late spring and continues through the summer, so it’s more likely that Valerie would be bitten during these warmer months. The ticks can’t survive when the temperature drops below freezing. If you do suspect that Valerie has Lyme disease, take her to the vet to get tested immediately. A one-month round of antibiotic is one of the most common treatment methods, perhaps combined with an anti-inflammatory to help with joint pain. With the antibiotics, Valerie’s body will start fighting the Lyme bacteria and eliminating most of it from the body and she should get back to her normal rambunctious self pretty quickly. Puppy City has been around for over 50 years, we pride ourselves in being the home for quality puppies for sale in Brooklyn, New York. We also have all of the supplies you will ever need, from dog food, to wee wee pads, to all the treats you will ever need in a lifetime. Visit us at http://www.PuppyCityNY.com
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