How to Prevent Lyme Disease in Your Pet
Slow-moving parasites awaken as the frigid winter weather gradually disappears and is replaced by the warm spring weather. As a result, April is the ideal month to observe Lyme Disease Prevention in Dogs Month. Take steps to lessen the possibility that your pet will provide a ride—or a meal—for ticks, and get familiar with the symptoms of Lyme disease to ensure your canine companion receives the proper care.
Signs of Lyme disease in dogs
One of the most widespread tick-borne diseases in the world is Lyme disease, but only 5% to 10% of afflicted dogs exhibit symptoms, and the sickness may not manifest for months after the initial bite.
Dogs may exhibit the following symptoms of Lyme disease:
- Shifting-leg lameness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Inappetence
- Joints that are painful and inflamed
The bacterium that causes Lyme disease can be diminished by antibiotics, but it is not usually totally eradicated, and chronic illness might result. As your dog’s condition recurs, the symptoms may wax and wane. Although it’s rare, kidney disease can also manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination and thirst.
How to safeguard your pet from Lyme disease
Lyme disease can have long-lasting repercussions on your pet’s health in addition to having an impact on you. By taking the following precautions, you can save your family and pet against the disease’s severe effects:
- Mow your lawn frequently because ticks are hardly ever detected in short grass.
- Avoid going on walks through tick habitat – While taking your pet on a walk through the woods might be a lot of fun, thick bushes and leafy debris are breeding grounds for ticks.
- Check your pet – Carefully check your pet for crawling or attached ticks. Prime locations are between the toes, under the tail, in the crotch, and close to the ears.
- Administer tick prevention — Monthly tick prevention will shield your pet against Lyme disease by killing ticks before they have a chance to transmit the pathogen.
- Vaccinate your pet – Find out if your dog needs the Lyme vaccine from your vet.
Regular tick prevention can protect your pet from Lyme disease, which can cause chronic sickness. To find out which tick preventive is most suitable for your pet, get in touch with our team.