Take the time to learn about Lyme!

There’s no doubt that people and dogs are spending more time outside now that Spring 🌺🌼🌸 is here. That means pets are exposed more to various diseases, such as Lyme disease. Read below if you want to take the time ⏰to review or learn about Lyme!

✨Borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease, is caused by a spiral-shaped (spirochete) bacteria, B

orrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted by an Ixodes species tick; it can take up to 2 days to transmit the infection

✨Clinical signs in dogs may include a decreased appetite, lethargy, joint pain, fever and less commonly, cardiac and renal (kidney) issues

✨This spirochete has various surface proteins, which are called Osp.Borrelia burgdorferi has

many abilities to evade the immune system; however, its C6 peptide remains constant, which is often what is screened for during testing

✨It’s important to check for Lyme disease in dogs 🐾for their health but also for human health as well, as dogs can be sentinels of Lyme disease risk for people🙅🏻‍♀️

✨Wondering what you can do to prevent Lyme disease? First, know your environment. 🌳Lyme disease is most prevalent in the northeast and midwest but it is becoming more common in other areas🌎. You can check prevalence maps online through Capcvet.org. Second, vet staff 👩🏻‍⚕️- please remember to recommend year-round 🗓 flea/tick control and advising owners to ask the vet if the Lyme vaccine is recommended for their pet. There are different types of vaccines (killed bacterin, recombinant vaccines that target OspA and/or OspC). Lastly, pet parents👩🏻‍💼 - make sure you are checking your pet over and having ticks removed promptly, especially if they spend time outdoors.

References:

1) CAPCvet.org

2) Veterinary Partner. Veterinarypartner.com

3) Tilley, L. P., & Smith, F. W. (2005). The 5-minute veterinary consult: Canine and feline. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

4) Yin, S. A. (2010). The small animal veterinary nerdbook. Davis, CA: CattleDog Pub.