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