How to Protect Your Pet from Lyme Disease
April is the month dedicated to the Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs. As the weather becomes warmer, parasites become active, and it becomes important to take preventive measures to reduce the chances of your pet getting infected with ticks and Lyme disease. Knowing how to recognize the common signs of Lyme disease can help ensure that your furry friend receives the necessary treatment.
Lyme disease signs in dogs
Although Lyme disease is a prevalent tick-borne illness worldwide, only 5% to 10% of dogs that contract it exhibit symptoms, and signs of illness may not be noticeable until several months after the initial bite. Lyme disease signs in dogs can include:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Lethargy
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Inappetence
- Painful, inflamed joints
- Fever
Sometimes antibiotics can decrease the number of Lyme-causing bacteria, but they may not completely eliminate them, which can lead to the development of chronic disease in your dog. As a result, your dog’s symptoms may appear to improve and worsen periodically. Although it is uncommon, kidney disease may also develop and cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.
How to protect your pet from Lyme disease
Lyme disease can not only affect you but also have lifelong effects on your pet’s health. To protect your family and pet from the serious problems caused by the disease, consider taking the following steps:
- To reduce the risk of ticks, please make sure to mow your lawn regularly since they aren’t usually found in short grass.
- It is important to give your pet monthly tick prevention to prevent Lyme disease. This will kill ticks and prevent them from spreading the disease.
- Consult with your veterinarian about whether giving your dog the Lyme vaccine is a suitable option to safeguard your pet’s health.
- It is advised to avoid walking in areas where ticks are commonly found, such as tall brushes and leafy debris, to protect your pet from them.
- Thoroughly check your pet for ticks by carefully examining areas such as near the ears, in the groin, under the tail, and between the toes where ticks are most likely to be found.
Regular tick prevention can help protect your pet from developing a lifelong illness caused by Lyme disease. Contact our team to find out the best tick preventive for your four-legged friend.