Dog Adoption Network - Protect Your Pet From Lyme Disease

Protect Your Pet From Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a tick transmitted disease that has increased dramatically in prevelance in our area over the past several years. It has been found in both rural and city dogs, and in both free roaming, and totally confined dogs. In 2000, Massachusetts had the seventh highest incidence rate for lyme disease nationwide. Lyme Disease is spread by deer ticks clinging to plants near ground level, or in grassy and wooded areas. According to the Health Department, the disease is most likely spread between late May and early Autumn when ticks are most active. Some measures you can take include the following:

If your dog has lived through a tick exposure season (is over 4 months of age), it needs to be tested for prior exposure. If detected in its early stages, sometimes even before symptoms develop, Lyme Disease can be successfully treated.
Protect your dog from tick exposure by keeping grass mowed and brush trimmed.
Check your dog daily for the presence of ticks, especially around the head and neck. Recheck your dog after exposure to potentially tick infested areas such as woods or a park. Check yourself for ticks as well. Remember that the tiny tick larvae and nymph stages can transmit Lyme Disease just as well as the larger adult forms.
Use safe and approved tick conrol products on your pet.

For more information regarding Lymes Disease, ticks and fleas please visit:

http://www.labbies.com/lyme.htm (Wing-n-Wave Labradors - "Countdown to Lyme Season: What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Lyme Disease")
http://www.pressenter.com/~dvmvis/canlyme.htm (Veterinary Information Service - "Canine Lymes Disease")
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/696_flea.html (US Food and Drug Administration - "Fighting Fleas and Ticks")

Back to Main News page