The Perils of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is well-known as ‘that disease that comes from ticks’. But what Lyme Disease is, in clinical definition, and the effects it has on a person or animal are not as defined as would be expected. While humans have more of a fighting chance against preventing tick-transmitted Lyme Disease, dogs and cats do not. That is why it is important to check your pet regularly for ticks.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection capable of affecting dogs, cats, humans and other mammals. The primary carrier of Lyme Disease is the deer tick, which usually begins its early stages by feeding on rodents. As it matures, the tick can attach itself to a dog or a human and transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease include:

• Depression 
• Lymph node swelling 
• Appetite loss 
• Fever 

Lyme Disease can also cause joint pain and swelling and lameness, as well as renal failure.

What To Do If You Think Your Pet Has Lyme Disease

The most advisable thing for you, as a pet owner, to do if you think your pet has Lyme Disease is to take them to the veterinarian for evaluation. Evaluations include a physical exam, blood tests and even radiographs.

How Is Lyme Disease Treated?

Your veterinarian can determine the best treatment plan for your pet. Antibiotics are the most used option. With prompt and proper treatment, your pet’s condition should begin improving within 48 hours.

Ticks!

Ticks are ectoparasites (parasites that live on the outside of the body) that feed on the blood of mammals, or ‘hosts’, such as dogs and humans.

Ticks are classified as arachnids, like mites and spiders. Tick species’, such as the brown dog tick and the American dog tick are both common examples of ticks that affect both canines and felines. Ticks such as these require three ‘feedings’ of their host’s blood daily.

Being that tick presence varies according to where you live, what time of the year it is (tick presence varies in warm and cool weather), your pet’s habits and your method and frequency of tick preventative product use.

Ticks attach themselves to your pet by inserting their mouth into your dog’s skin via barbed spikes, followed by the commencement of feeding. Many ticks can also produce a glue-like substance to stay attached.

What Can a Tick Do To My Pet?

Ticks are highly capable of causing many different diseases in your pet. Although rare, ticks can consume enough of a host’s blood to cause anemia. Certain female ticks can cause a rare paralysis in their host from a toxin they produce during feeding. But the disease most familiar to pet owners is Lyme Disease. Another serious disease is Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Lyme Disease can cause arthritis and swelling of joints that can result in lameness. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause fever, lameness and other serious ailments. Along with these, ticks can transmit other serious diseases to your dog or cat. Your veterinarian can answer any questions you may have concerning ticks and the different diseases they can carry.

Preventing Ticks and Knowing Their Routine

It might be surprising to know that it is very difficult to prevent your pet’s exposure to ticks. Whether going on walks, hikes, or other outdoor activities, ticks can always attach themselves to your pet. The best way to prevent ticks is with regular tick control use. Your veterinarian can help you with deciding the best product for your dog or your cat and their current situation. Your veterinarian is also knowledgeable of the specific diseases common in your area that can pose a risk for your pet.

While ticks can be found everywhere, warm climates and certain rural and wooded areas, especially in the Northeast, are places where ticks are more present and can increase your pet’s exposure rate.

How To Know If Your Pet Has Ticks and How To Remove Them

Ticks are visible, so it is a good idea to check your pet regularly. If you happen to find one, be careful when removing it, because any contact with the tick’s blood can potentially transmit their infectious diseases onto your pet, or even you.

Before you start, treat the area where the tick is with rubbing alcohol and remove it with tweezers. Make sure that you have removed the biting head and any other body parts. It may only take a few hours for disease from the tick to be transmitted to your pet, it is preferred that you take your pet to the veterinarian for evaluation through blood tests following the removal of the tick. They will also recommend a tick preventative for the future.

Hazards of the Dog Park

The dog park is a great place for your dog to play with others and meet new friends. But there are also certain hazards to keep in mind before letting your dog play at the dog park. Whether you are taking your dog to the park for the first time, or you’ve done it for a while, knowing what negative things can possibly happen can save both you and your dog from a variety of costly and hazardous problems.

Infectious Diseases

Since so many dogs are at the dog park at a given time, as well as before your dog is there, illnesses like kennel cough and canine influenza can be easily spread.

Canine Influenza (‘Dog flu’) is another hazard that can be transmitted from the communal water bowls at the dog park. It is wise to bring a collapsible water bowl with you, as well as your dog’s own toys. It is unrealistic to think that, even though you have brought your own water bowl and toys, that your dog will not come into contact with public items. Vaccinating your dog for the flu virus is another important precaution to take in the case that your dog does use another dog’s toys or drinks from a communal bowl.

Another important precaution to take is cleaning up after your dog. Intestinal parasites from people not picking up after their dogs is a widespread problem at dog parks. Your dog can step in another dog’s feces and when they lick their paw to clean it off, they pick up parasites like giardia, roundworm and hookworm soon after.

Heat Stroke
If your dog is playing on a hot, humid day, watch to make sure they don’t contract heat stroke. Dogs don’t have many sweat glands, so they cool themselves through evaporation off their tongue and mouth (panting), as well as evaporation off their foot pads. If it is hot and humid, they won’t be able to cool themselves as effectively, which can be a problem if they are having fun and don’t have the sense to stop. The best solution is to always have cool water and try to find a shady spot for your dog to rest when needed.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are easily spread by dogs playing together. But many effective flea and tick medications are available to protect your pet from these parasites. When you are leaving the dog park, do a tick check to make sure your dog doesn’t have any of the pesky parasites on them.

*Folsom Veterinary Hospital recommends occasional fecal tests to check for parasites in your pet. Frontline and Nexgard products for flea and tick prevention are also recommended.*