Lymes Disease
By Jennie Braaksma, CVT

Lyme Disease is an infectious disease transmitted through the bite of a tick. The deer tick is the primary carrier of Borrelia Burgdorferi, the bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. Transmission occurs when the tick is attached to the host for 48 hours. But, this does not mean your dog will contract the disease. Studies have shown that only 10% of dogs exposed to the bacteria will contract the disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs usually occur much later after the tick bite. Symptoms you may see in your dog are a fever, lameness, fatigue, and poor appetite. Cats can develop Lyme Disease, but it is rare.

Diagnosis can be aided by blood tests and the history of your pet. It is very treatable with antibiotics.

One mode used to help prevent Lyme Disease is vaccination. However, no vaccine is 100% effective. Therefore, the best way to prevent Lyme’s Disease is a combination of vaccination and tick control. There are many topical insecticide products available to repel ticks. Avoid areas where ticks are most likely able to come into contact with your dog (grassy, wooded areas). Also, examine your pet for embedded ticks, and remove them promptly.

If you have any questions regarding Lyme’s Disease, please feel free to contact us.

! Distemper Vaccine Update !

Health care for your pet is not cookbook in nature. One of the latest changes in pet health care is changes in Vaccine Frequency. The most up-to-date scientific research shows that once your pet has been vaccinated appropriately early in life, it is actually protected for up to three years.

When you come in for your next wellness exam, we will be talking to you about “periodic vaccinations” with the distemper combination. “Lifestyle vaccines”, such as Lyme, Bordetella etc. still require boosters and are administered based on your pet’s lifestyle and his/her risk of exposure.

Of course, the yearly wellness exam is the most important aspect of care to insure your pet’s health and to make note of any early indications of disease.

What does this mean? You still come in as scheduled for your pet’s annual wellness exam, but inoculations will be less frequent.

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© Marsh View Veterinary Clinic, 2007
These articles are for your educational enjoyment. They may not be republished without the permission of Marsh View Veterinary Clinic. Please contact us at 920-326-3020 or 920-326-5738 if you have any questions.