| Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria carried by ticks. When an infected
tick bites your pet, the bacteria is transferred to the blood. This is a widespread
disease. Dogs that play in infected areas and then travel not only carry the disease,
but could also carry a live infected tick along with them. Wild animals and wildfowl
also help transport infected ticks. You can protect your pet by having
him vaccinated. The vaccination is as safe as any other vaccination your pet receives.
While no vaccine is 100% effective, it certainly reduces the impact of the illness.
Brush your dog after an outing that may have your pet in tall grass or a forest.
If you hunt, camp, picnic, go to parks, take long walks, or jog with your dog,
it may be exposed to ticks. Always brush your dog after an outing. If you find
a tick attached to your dog, carefully remove it with tweezers, pulling back slowly
and steadily so as to remove all the ticks mouthparts. Wash the bite area, your
hands and the tweezers with antiseptic soap. Regular baths, dips and wearing of
flea and tick collars are wise ideas. Symptoms to watch for are: fever,
depression, loss of appetite, lethargy, sudden pain or lameness, arthritic like
symptoms. Any time you suspect illness contact your veterinarian for treatment.
Treatment for Lyme disease is effective in the early stages. However, the prognosis
is not so good if your ill pet is left unattended. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Terrie Simpson | 
