Lyme disease is one of the most common ailments to affect North
American pets, especially dogs. It is the most frequently found
tick-transmitted disease to
afflict both pets and humans in North America. The disease is
caused by a bacteria that can be transmitted to your pet
through a tick.
Where Lyme-Causing Bacteria Comes From
A bacteria, called B. burgdorferi, generally originates in
small rodents like mice. Ticks -- most commonly hard shelled
deer ticks -- pick B. burgdorferi
up from these small animals. Later, if one of these
bacteria-carrying ticks finds their way to you or your pet, the
bacteria can then be transferred. The bacteria is what causes
Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease Time Frame
If a tick carrying the bacteria is able to attach itself to
your pet for more than 18 hours, your pet might end up with the
disease. If, when you discover the tick, it is not yet
engorged, thatโs good news! Itโs a sign that the bacteria has
not likely been transmitted. If the tick appears to have had
its fill, and is engorged, infection with B. burgdorferi is
possible.
Symptoms of Lyme can take 2-5 months to appear, after the
initial bite. So if you begin to see symptoms, think back a few
months. Most experts agree, early detection and early treatment
of Lyme disease makes all the difference.
Preventing Lyme Disease
Spot-on monthly tick treatments
are an effective way to repel ticks from your pet, but even the
best ointments out there donโt offer a 100% guarantee. The
affliction of Lyme Disease can be almost entirely avoided by
checking your petsโ bodies for
ticks after theyโve spent time outside along with the
routine administration of a trusted anti-tick medication such
as Frontline for dogs.
The symptoms of Lyme disease can present as a general lack of
wellness. If your dog appears depressed, wonโt eat, or resists
moving around because they appear to be in pain, you could be
dealing with Lyme. Traditionally, antibiotics are used. When
symptoms appear, donโt wait to head to the vet.
There are no documented cases of Lyme disease being transmitted
from one human to another, or from a cat or a dog to a human.
However, dogs and cats can carry disease-bearing ticks into the
home. Those ticks can give humans Lyme disease. Itโs important
to check your pets before bringing them inside after romps
outdoors, especially if play time occurred in high infestation
areas.
Cats can get Lyme disease, but itโs rare.
Cats are every bit as likely as a human or dog to attract
ticks. They may even contract and carry B. burgdorferi, the
Lyme-causing bacteria. However, a catโs immune system can
tolerate the disease-causing bacteria in a way that human and
canine physiologies cannot. They may carry the bacteria forever
without actually developing symptoms of Lyme.
From time to time, it does occur. In these cases, as with all
cases of Lyme disease, early detection and treatment are
essential to long-term health.
All you need to know about Lyme disease
Among all the tick-transmitted diseases, Lyme disease is the
most common. Blacklegged ticks are the carriers of this lethal
disease. This bacterial infection has varying degree levels and
may lead to substantial health problems like kidney failure or
even death. It is important that you should keep the dog safe
by knowing all the essential facts about this disease. It is
good to know the symptoms, treatment, and the time it has an
increased chance to strike.
Detection in pets
Lyme disease can strike all over the globe. The name of the
disease comes after the village of Lyme in Connecticut, the
United States, post the first outbreak in 1975 in the same
area. This disease continues to be regular slaughterer in this
part of the world. As per CDC. 95 percent of confirmed Lyme
cases come from 14 states. New York, Vermont, and Virginia are
among the source states. When an infected tick bites the host,
Borrelia burgdorferi, the concerned bacteria gets into the
tissue causing numerous health complications. The infection
enters the blood-stream about 24 hours later. In some cases, it
may be 36 hours.It is easy to detect Lyme disease if it occurs
in humans. The disease can be easily identified by the red rash
on the skin. In dogs, however, detection is a little harder as
canines do not suffer from rashes. To compound the problem, a
dog could be infected for as much as five months prior to the
infection showing itself as symptoms and signs. The list of
such visual markers includes lameness, joint swelling, and
joint pain, poor appetite, inactivity. Breathing difficulties,
arthritis, fever, dehydration, increased touch sensitivity,
depression, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases,
complications in the nervous system and heart abnormalities are
also reported. When it comes to joint swelling and pain, the
elbows and the knees are the most affected.
Danger time
Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose and multiple symptoms of
this disease appear to resolve by themselves. The symptoms are
also common to a number of other diseases. Lyme mostly occurs
in the months starting May and ending August. Two months-June
and July- are the most vulnerable months. Ideal weather for
Lyme disease propagation is higher humidity and warmer
temperatures. The danger season may begin much sooner if less
rainfall occurs. \If you live in a place where there is a
greater incidence of Lyme disease, use the numerous vaccination
options and tick-preventative products available via the
veterinarian. The vet will first evaluate the age of the dog
and its overall health. The canine's lifestyle will also be put
under the scanner. The professional will also take into account
whether your dog is susceptible to the disease.
More on Keeping Your Pet Safe
How to Remove a Tick
Puppy Vaccinations
What Are Ticks?
Spot On Flea Control: Which Treatment
is Right for Your Pet
How to Get Rid of a Tick
This information is for informational purposes only and
is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or
diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to
your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed
veterinarian for accuracy.
