|
Where can I get reliable information about Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria exists in the bodies of live animals and is spread from one animal to another.
Lyme disease can affect individual pets differently. Some animals may display no symptoms. Others may develop fever, loss of appetite, painful joints, lethargy, and vomiting. If left untreated, Lyme disease may damage the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nervous system.
Infected dogs may be lethargic, have a poor/loss of appetite, or a fever (103° - 105 ° F). Dogs may also show signs of lameness such as shifting from one limb to another, fatigue, kidney damage or failure, heart disorders, or neurologic involvement, which displays as aggression, confusion, overeating, seizures. Dogs can be infected with the Lyme bacteria but not exhibit any noticeable symptoms to their owners.
Cats may show lameness, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, eye damage, unusual breathing, or signs of heart difficulty. As with dogs, some cats will not show noticeable symptoms.
How can you protect your pet?
Apply a topical flea and tick topical treatment monthly. Not all topical treatments guard against ticks. Make sure the one you choose does.
You must check your pet regularly for ticks. Have a tool for removing ticks handy such as a tick scoop or tweezers.
The Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc. has a very informative website:
Lyme Disease Foundation
Visit this site for more information. This group also operates a 24 hour hotline: 800-886-LYME
|