With spring season in full bloom, parasites like ticks and fleas are back in action. And while you are planning outside adventures with your dog to enjoy the early summer, beware of these pesky creatures. Ticks not only cause itching and irritation to your fur friend, but they can also transmit various tick-borne diseases to them. One such tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, which can compromise your pooch’s health to a great extent. So, how do you protect your dog from this disease? Here is the answer.
As April is marked as the Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs month, let us contribute to the cause and spread awareness for this disease. Keep reading to learn about Lyme disease in dogs, how it is transmitted to dogs along with its symptoms, and useful tips to prevent this disease.
What is Lyme disease in Dogs?
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis is a bacterial infection caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi. Ticks harbor these bacteria and transmit them through bite in animals (dogs, horses, etc.) and humans. There are at least 4 species of ticks, specifically from the Ixodes genus, that can transmit Lyme disease. However, the majority of Lyme disease transmissions are caused due to bites from infected deer ticks (black-legged ticks). Lyme disease causes joint inflammation and can also cause a secondary kidney disease called Lyme nephritis that leads to kidney failure in dogs.
How do Dogs Get Lyme Disease?
When a tick carrying the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria hops onto the dog and takes the blood meal, the tick transmits the bacteria into the dog’s bloodstream, thus causing the disease. It takes 1-2 days for the ticks to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease after attaching to the dog.
Lyme disease can be caused only by infected tick bites and cannot be transferred to dogs from other infected animals.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
After being infected, dogs can often be asymptomatic for a long period. Merely 5% to 10% of infected dogs show signs and most of them take two to five months before they show symptoms of the disease. The most visible symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent and recurring)
- Swollen joints
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Lethargy
7 Essential Tips to Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs
Lyme disease, if not treated on time, can cause irreversible damage to dogs’ health and be fatal as well. Prevention of the disease instead, is comparatively easy and hassle-free. Here are 7 most useful tips to prevent Lyme disease in dogs:
Avoid Exposure to Tick-Prevalent Areas
Ticks live in wooded areas, grass, shrubs, and brush. Avoid visiting such areas while walking or hiking with your dog. Also, fence the yard adequately to prevent tick-infested animals from coming in contact with your pet.
Inspect Your Dog Daily
Conduct a thorough inspection of your dog after every outside visit. If you find any ticks, remove them immediately to prevent further spread. While you are checking your pet, pay special attention to places where ticks usually harbor, like:
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs
- Between the back legs
- Between the toes
- Around the tail
Groom Your Dog Regularly
Your furry companion can host several ticks without you even noticing. One simple way to keep these nasty parasites away from your dog is to bathe them (with medicated shampoos, if needed) and brush their coat regularly. This way, ticks cannot stay attached to your dog for longer and fail to inflict any harm on them.
Keep The Lawn Short
Make sure you do not provide ticks the environment to survive and thrive. Mow the lawn frequently; trim the grass and keep it as short as possible. Remove leafy debris and secure the trash cans so that rodents and other animals do not hang around.
Vaccinate Your Dog for Lyme Disease
Vaccination helps eliminate the risk of Lyme disease infection. If a dog gets infected with Lyme disease even after vaccination, the severity of the illness reduces considerably. However, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian beforehand to check the suitability of the vaccine for your dog.
Administer Preventives All Year Round
Another way to prevent Lyme disease in dogs is to keep them on parasite preventives, all year round. As the disease is transmitted by ticks, an effective treatment that protects against ticks will eliminate the chances of the infection. Bravecto is available in both chewable and topical forms and provides up to 12 weeks of protection. Nexgard chewable, on the other hand, provides monthly protection. Whereas, Simparica Trio chews provide one-month of protection against various parasites including ticks. Take the help of a veterinarian to prepare an ideal parasite prevention plan for your pooch.
Schedule Regular Vet Checkups
Lyme disease detection is difficult as dogs rarely display symptoms. Regular vet checkups will help in early diagnosis and timely treatment, thus reducing the damage to your dog’s health.
Also Read This: Warning Signs Your Pet Might Be Sick
Wrapping up
Lyme disease is a curable yet dangerous disease that can adversely affect dogs’ health. By taking adequate preventive measures, you can save your furry family member from trouble. Consider the tips mentioned above to prevent Lyme disease in your pooch. You can get quality dog supplies online at the best prices.
