Have you ever wondered what lurks in the depths of a tick bite? Brace yourself for a revelation that could save your furry friend’s life. It’s time to uncover the chilling reality of Lyme disease.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is transmitted by an infected tick carrying Lyme disease biting and attaching to your pet. Unlike humans, who might show obvious symptoms like a bullseye rash, our furry companions often suffer in silence. In fact, a staggering 95% of dogs with Lyme disease show no outward signs of illness. So how can you tell if your pet is affected?
Common symptoms
- Lethargy
- Lameness/arthritis
- Skin rash around the bite area
- Lack of appetite
- Swollen joints
Are there other types of tick-borne disease?
Yes! It is also possible to have more than one type at a time!
- Ehrlichia Canis and Ewingii – This type of disease lives in the white blood cells of the infection patient. If detected, early treatment can intervene and majority of patients recover well. If left untreated or undetected, patients can have abnormal bleeding, inflammation of the eyes and long-term immune related issues.
- Anaplasma Phagocytophilum and Platys – Many patients with this disease do not show obvious signs of disease. Symptoms can include decreased appetite, lethargy and fever. When treated, most patients have a quick recovery.
How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?
It takes 24-28 hours to transmit Lyme disease. To test for any disease transmission, testing should be completed 6 weeks after a known bite.
What can I do to help prevent my pet from contracting tick-borne diseases?
- Annual testing – As most cases won’t show obvious signs, yearly testing is essential to monitor for disease
- Vaccination – The Lyme vaccine is available and should be given annually.
- Prevention—Year-round prevention medications should be given. There are several options in topical or oral doses. Depending on the product, the coverage period ranges from 4 to 12 weeks.
My pet has tested positive for a tick-borne disease. Now what?
- If your pet does not show any of the symptoms listed above the next step is:
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- Urine testing and further blood testing are needed to check for kidney and liver function as well as blood cell (platelet) counts.
- Frequent repeat blood and urine testing to monitor the progression of the disease.
- If your pet does show any or all clinical signs listed above
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- All of the above-recommended testing
- A 30-day course of antibiotics
In the battle against Lyme disease, knowledge is your best defence. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep those pesky ticks at bay. Your pet’s health depends on it.
Please contact us if you have additional questions or would like to purchase prevention.
