It is well known that summer and spring are seasons to watch out for ticks. Especially if you have a dog - as they are more susceptible to tick bites due to their many layers of fur. The larger problem is, lyme disease or Lyme Borreliosis is a bacterial disease that can easily be transmitted to dogs, humans, and some other animals through ticks. Cats usually aren’t at risk, but Lyme disease can be a severe threat to dogs. Once the Lyme Borreliosis bacteria gets into the bloodstream, it can spread to different parts of the body and cause problems in joints and overall illness.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?
Lyme disease is a common canine disease. Some common symptoms in dogs include:
Fever
Lack of Energy
Swelling in Joints
Loss of appetite
Lameness
General discomfort or pain
Kidney failure
Limping
Excess Saliva
In rare cases, it can also cause some serious cardiac malfunction
In some cases, pets do not even show any symptoms, so it’s essential to keep a close eye and see if you notice something unusual. The earlier the diagnosis, the better your pet’s chances of a complete and speedy recovery.
April stands as Lyme disease prevention month, and in this article, we talk about 5 ways you can protect your dog from lyme disease.
#1 Check the Dog for Ticks Daily
This might seem a bit tedious, but you must check every inch of your pet’s skin for ticks. Not only is it essential for your pet’s safety, but if ticks are not detected on time, it can be a danger for you too. Your furry friend’s fur becomes a “tick magnet,” and when you cuddle the dog, you can be exposed to the little gremlins as well.
It may sound tedious to check the entire skin daily. So, to keep it fun, you can check the skin while you’re enjoying your play time with the pet. Run your fingers through the fur, and if you come across any ticks, remove it as recommended by the American Kennel Club:
“Most household tweezers have large, blunt tips. You should use fine-point tweezers, to avoid tearing the tick and spreading possible infections into the bite area. Spread your dog’s fur, then grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Very gently, pull straight upward, in a slow, steady motion. (source)”
#2 Keep Your Lawn Clean
Keeping your lawn, bushes, and yarn trimmed will reduce the chances of ticks in your backyard. Be sure to mow your lawn regularly, remove the tall weeds and remove the leaf litter, especially the one’s under the shrubs, and near the perimeter, that’s where the ticks usually hide. If you are unable to trim the lawn at a frequent interval, consider getting granular treatments or a yard sprays. If you’re using a spray, be careful to use them under specified instructions, otherwise, it can be harmful to animals and humans too.
#3 Keep a Check on Your Dog’s Outdoor Time
During summer and spring, it is usually not a good idea to leave the dog outdoors for an extended period. While your dog will need their outdoor time, don’t leave them outdoors for too long during the peak of tick season. Prevent them from getting into wooded areas and places with bushes etc. are as these are usually places where ticks are abundantly available.
#4 Get your dog vaccinated
Vaccination could keep the lyme disease at bay for your dog. However, when you visit your vet, discuss the vaccination, and they would recommend what’s best for your fur child.
#5 Protect yourself and discuss with the vet
Ticks usually find their way from dogs to humans quite quickly, so be sure to take a shower and check yourself regularly as well. Talk to your vet about the best ways to safeguard your dog, and at each vet visit, ask to get the dog checked for ticks.
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, consult a vet immediately. You can use our online scheduling tool to book your appointment or call us at 785-762-5631 in case of an emergency.