Lyme Illness — Steveston Veterinary Hospital

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Lyme illness is among the commonest tick-transmitted ailments on the planet however solely causes signs in a small proportion of the canine which can be affected.  Micro organism referred to as Borrelia burgdorferi are transmitted by means of the chunk of the Ixodes tick (deer tick).  With a few of their eight legs hanging onto the leaves or brush, these ticks use the remainder of their legs to hang around and watch for one thing tasty to latch onto.  This may very well be any small mammal akin to rodents, rabbits, deer…otherwise you or your canine when you’re out for a stroll! 

Signs in a canine with lyme illness could embrace lowered power, lower in urge for food, stiff joints, lameness, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.  They could even have recurrent lameness the place they’re lame in a number of joints lasting solely 3-4 days, however recurs days to weeks later, perhaps even in a special leg or joint. 

Lyme illness might be identified by your veterinarian, mostly by means of a blood take a look at, and prognosis is sweet if handled.  Remedies will fluctuate relying on the severity of the illness however antibiotics have confirmed to be a really efficient methodology, normally seeing ends in just some days. 

So now that we all know what we’re coping with, let’s discuss prevention!  There’s a vaccination out there for canine to forestall lyme illness, in addition to a number of topical and oral drugs to forestall fleas and ticks.  At your subsequent annual veterinary appointment, ask your veterinarian what he/she would advocate as a preventative to your pet. 

It has been discovered {that a} tick typically needs to be on its host for roughly 24 hours earlier than the micro organism might be transmitted.  Due to this fact, doing common “tick checks” in your canine, particularly proper after a stroll by means of the tall grass or brush, is a good suggestion.  The most typical spots to seek out ticks on a canine are across the head, ears, and entrance legs.  It’s because as your canine strikes by means of the grass, these are usually the primary locations a tick will come into contact with them.  Ticks needs to be eliminated rigorously with tweezers, pinching the tick close to the purpose they enter the pores and skin. Your veterinarian may have specialised ‘tick removing’ gadgets for you.

Tick populations in British Columbia are largest within the decrease mainland, Vancouver Island and within the Fraser Valley.  It has been discovered that though the variety of contaminated ticks continues to be comparatively low, that quantity is rising within the space.  The primary tick season is through the summer season months of Might-July however there was a spike through the winter months of January and February as properly. 

Relaxation assured that in case your pet does develop into contaminated with lyme illness, though people are prone to the illness, you can not get it straight out of your furry pal!  You may, nevertheless, get it from a tick chunk as properly so be sure to’re doing these “tick checks” on each your canine AND your self! 

Communicate to your native veterinarian and don’t let the concern of these creepy crawlers maintain you and your canine indoors this summer season!

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