Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, which comes just in the nick of time as we get into the worst part of tick season. Although spring and early summer are historically considered "tick season," we can see them earlier or later as well.

In dogs, Lyme disease may cause shifting leg joint pain, lethargy, fever, decreased appetite and most seriously, kidney disease. Some of these symptoms may be obvious, while others are not.  We can screen for Lyme with a small amount of blood. We also offer a Lyme disease vaccination that we recommend for all canine patients that travel into Lyme endemic areas.  The most important step in prevention of Lyme disease is using a monthly flea and tick preventative and daily removal of any ticks that do find their way onto your furry friends.  This will allow for removal before the tick has a chance to spread disease.

Lyme disease not only affects dogs, but also people, horses, cattle and cats. Although there must be a tick bite to infect any animal or human with the disease, keeping your pets free of ticks helps prevent the spread of this serious disease. 

Stop in with your questions about Lyme disease and we can help establish the best plan for your pets! 

For more information about Lyme disease in dogs: www.lymeinfo.com
For more information about Lyme disease in humans: www.cdc.gov/lyme/
Lyme Disease Human Cases 2013: http://module.lymediseaseassociation.net/Maps/

---