Get Ticked Off! Fight Lyme Disease

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| Print | By Jo Singer | July 15, 2008 5:08 PM

As the summer heat and humidity increases, we often spend more time outdoors hanging out with our pets. While their company is delightful, our pets are far more vulnerable to those blood-sucking annoying insects, fleas and ticks. Fleas carry tapeworm, however, ticks are the vector for the dangerous condition, Lyme disease.

This devastating illness can affect both pets and humans. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected tick. While not all ticks do carry the Lyme bacteria, we need to exercise caution in tick- infested areas. Once considered rampant in Lyme "endemic" areas, this nasty disease is found throughout the United States and Europe. Ticks also carry a variety of other bacterial diseases.

Tank, a Pitbull Puppy

To protect your pets from contracting Lyme disease, here are some simple suggestions:

1. Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits and risks of the canine Lyme Vaccine. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available for cats. Check with your vet for the most efficient prescription topical tick repellents. While slightly more expensive than over- the- counter products, those available by prescription are safer.

2. If you observe any of the following symptoms seek veterinary advice immediately; swollen joints, lethargy, decreased appetite or lameness. In the early stages of Lyme disease, antibiotics are highly successful in treating animals with Lyme disease. Delaying treatment Lyme disease may lead to fatal kidney disease, arthritis, heart condition and neurological disorders, (causing confusion or aggressive behavior).

3. Make sure to thoroughly inspect your pets each day, examining them for ticks. Use a fine-point tweezers or special tick-removal tool to remove any ticks you find. I suggest that you save the tick in a container filled with rubbing alcohol, to bring it to your vet for testing. Wear gloves while performing this task. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight out. Never crush or puncture the tick. Follow the tick removal by wiping the area with a veterinary approved antiseptic, and then wipe the tools with alcohol. Brush your pets after any outdoor exposure, especially if they have been playing in tall grasses or shrubs.

4. Vacuum your carpets regularly. Wash all pet bedding frequently and keep your pet's area clean. Your veterinarian can advise you about pet-safe products, which help keep ticks and fleas out of carpets and bedding.

5. Since ticks thrive in high grasses, keep your lawns mowed short, particularly in areas in which your pets spend time. It goes without saying to be certain that any pesticides you may use are pet-safe.

Using caution and care, you can provide a safer environment for you and your pets. By observing the simple suggestions above and being knowledgeable about Lyme disease, you and your pets will be much safer.

For more information about Lyme disease and your pets, visit:
http://www.lyme.org/otherdis/ld_pets.html

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Parasites (4) , Ticks (1)

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Steve G July 22, 2008 4:00 AM

As someone with firsthand experience, I agree with this post. Lyme should not be taken lightly and it can be devastating to both dogs and people if not caught and treated quickly. The best advice is to take preventive steps and perform regular tick checks.