| Lyme disease is primarily spread to both | | | | contracting lyme disease, you should |
| dogs and humans through the bite of an | | | | vaccinate him. After the initial |
| infected tick. Many different species of | | | | immunization, a booster is recommended |
| ticks can be involved, including the | | | | three weeks later, followed thereafter |
| deer tick, the western black-legged | | | | by annual re-vaccinations. The symptoms |
| tick, and the black legged tick. Ticks | | | | of Lyme disease in humans are similar to |
| are tiny parasites that are difficult to | | | | those found in dogs, and vaccination of |
| see with the naked eye and can easily | | | | the family dog will help to prevent the |
| hide on people and pets. | | | | spread to humans. |
| Ticks, however, are not the only way the | | | | A tick must feed on the host for |
| disease can be spread, fleas and other | | | | approximately 24 hours before spread of |
| biting insects are capable of spreading | | | | the disease takes place. When you return |
| it as well. There have been incidents in | | | | from an outing, carefully check your |
| which Lyme disease has been transmitted | | | | dog's skin and coat, including the |
| by direct contact with infected body | | | | groin, around the ears and tail and |
| fluids. This ease of transmission has | | | | between the toes. If a tick is found, |
| made Lyme disease one of the most | | | | remove it immediately with an alcohol |
| commonly reported tick-borne diseases. | | | | swab and tweezers. After applying the |
| The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs | | | | alcohol to the tick, carefully pull the |
| include lethargy, loss of appetite, high | | | | tick upwards. Try not to squeeze the |
| fever, swollen lymph nodes and joint, | | | | tick while removing it as this may force |
| and/or a sudden onset of lameness. | | | | bacteria from the tick, back into the |
| Veterinarians have the ability to test | | | | animal. |
| for this disease in house and should be | | | | If possible, save the tick in a jar or |
| consulted immediately if any of the | | | | sealed container. If the dog becomes |
| symptoms develop. Rapid treatment of a | | | | sick or exhibits any of the symptoms |
| diagnosed case of Lyme disease is | | | | described earlier, your veterinarian can |
| essential to prevent permanent damage to | | | | identify the type of tick to aid in the |
| the joints on internal organs. | | | | choice of antibiotics to use. When it |
| To lessen your dogs chances of | | | | comes to ticks, do not take any chances. |