Besides
sprouting flowers and mild temperatures, spring also ushers in ticks
that carry Lyme disease, and pet parents are being reminded about the
importance of taking precautions to keep their dogs and cats safe
from the potentially killer bacterial infection.
The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is urging
pet parents to take actions now to prevent their companions from
being bitten by the insects and infected by Lyme.
It
recommends using topical treatments and prescription tick-control
collars available from a veterinarian to keep the insects off their
pets.
"Prescription
tick-preventive collars obtained through veterinarians can be very
useful aids in preventing infestation,” Dr. Louise Murray, director
of medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, states
in a media release. “Consumers should not confuse these with
over-the-counter flea collars, which are often ineffective."
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Story continues here
Lyme
vaccines are available for dogs, the ASPCA says, and owners should
consult with a veterinarian about whether a vaccination is
appropriate for a pet's lifestyle and geographic location.
Lyme
disease can affect individual pets differently, so pet parents must
pay careful attention to changes in a dog's or cat's disposition for
any warning signs, Dr. Murray said.
"Early
detection of Lyme disease in pets helps ensure prompt and successful
treatment,” she said. "It can also prevent potential organ
damage resulting from unrecognized infection."
Dogs
with Lyme disease may experience leg stiffness and limping, a high
fever (103 to 105F), lethargy, loss of appetite, kidney damage or
failure (which could cause vomiting, thirst or general malaise) or,
more rarely, heart disorders. Neurological symptoms include
aggression, overeating or seizures.
Cats
may show loss of appetite, fatigue, lameness, eye damage or unusual
breathing. While it is still unclear to what degree cats are at risk
of becoming sick from Lyme disease, it is important to protect them
from flea and tick infestation, since both parasites can infect cats
with a number of life-threatening illnesses.
A
dog or cat can be infected with the Lyme bacteria and show no obvious
symptoms, so prevention is critical because the disease can be
life-threatening if left untreated.
The
ASPCA offer these suggestions to pet parents:
- Perform a daily tick check of your pet. When a tick attaches to an animal, it takes time before the infection is passed. If the tick is spotted early, it can be removed before the disease spreads.
- If you spot a tick, don’t panic. Use fine-point tweezers to grab the tick and gently pull upward until the tick detaches. Do not use your bare hands. Wash your hands carefully and store the tick in an airtight container (zip-lock bag, pill bottle, etc.) to have it tested by your veterinarian right away.
- Have your pet examined as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms. The earlier Lyme disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
Ticks
are most prevalent in the spring and fewer numbers are around in the
dry, summer months. But they re-emerge in larger numbers in autumn,
when the weather is cooler and wetter. For the most part, the tick
season goes on in colder climates until winter settles in. In warmer
climates, ticks can be a year-round problem.
The
four kinds of ticks commonly found in the mainland United States are:
- Deer tick, which may carry Lyme disease. It has been found in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- Brown dog tick, which may carry infectious diseases known as canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. It has been found in all states.
- Lone star tick, which may carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis and tularemia. It has been found in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
More
reports about dogs and health:
- American dog tick, which may carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. It has been found in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The Ruff Report is a column that appears on MySetterSam.com,
a blog written by Joseph A. Reppucci, a retired editor from The Patriot
Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts. Mr. Reppucci worked as a reporter and editor on major daily
newspapers in the Boston area for more than 30 years. He is the author
of the book, The Hunt of Her Life,
a heartwarming story about his once-in-a-lifetime rescue dog. Find it on Amazon.com.
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