Gear Up For Prevent Lyme Disease in Dog Month

Did you know the month of April is known as ‘Prevent Lyme Disease in Your Dog Month’? Well, now you do! Lyme disease is considered a serious ailment in dogs and the month of April was chosen to raise such awareness because it is during this time that most dogs are infected with this disease. Thus, it is important for dog parents to do all it takes to protect their furry pal from falling prey to Lyme disease.

As you know, prevention is always better than cure and awareness is arguably the best part of prevention, so it’s imperative that dog parents are made aware of such a dangerous disease. Thus, as ‘Prevent Lyme Disease in Your Dog Month’ approaches, here are some facts about Lyme disease that every dog parent should know.

Lyme Disease Facts

• Lyme disease is a highly common disease and unfortunately is a very serious one.
  
  
• Generally speaking, Lyme disease commences with just a solitary tick bite.
  
  
• The Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium is the reason behind the cause of Lyme disease.
  
  
• The most common tick that carries Lyme disease is the deer tick which is also known as a black-legged tick.
  
  
• Normally, a tick must be attached to your dog for approximately 24 hours before transmission can take place.
  
  
• Ticks should never be removed with fingers. Either use gloves or a pair of tweezers to pick out ticks.
  
  
• Regular combing of your dog’s fur helps in keeping out ticks from living on the skin for months and causing issues like Lyme disease.
  
  
• Lyme disease is transferable, which means an infected pet can transmit the disease to a healthy pet.
  
  
• Many Lyme disease-borne ticks are found in areas where long grasses are found. Avoid such areas when you take your Fido out for his evening walk.
  
  
• Detecting Lyme disease early is very difficult as signs and symptoms begin to show after several weeks.
  
  
• Some signs that your dog has been infected with the dreaded Lyme disease are – unusual walking style, labored breathing, sensitive to touch, appetite loss, fever, joint swellings, etc.
  
  
• Lyme disease is more prevalent in the upper Midwestern states, Pacific coastal states, and Atlantic seaboard.
  
  
• Tick repellents are a good way of preventing Lyme disease in dogs but aren’t a foolproof way of protecting canines.
  
  
• If your dog’s immune system in is great shape, it can itself fight off Lyme disease. Hence, feeding him nutritious meals is essential.

Lyme disease is a serious problem and spreading awareness about it can go a long way towards keeping canine’s healthy. Therefore, if you suspect anything different in your furry friend, trust your instinct and rush to a vet for quick diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, do not forget to spread Lyme disease awareness this Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month and who knows, you might save lives.