TICK BORNE DISEASES


FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO REMOVE A TICK: GO TO      petsandticks.com OR  dogsandticks.com

 LYME DISEASE: 

  • is transmitted by ticks: THE DEER OR BLACK-LEGGED TICK : usually in Spring or Fall (ambient temperatures of 4-24 degrees Celcius
  • TAKES UP TO 24 HRSfor the infection to transfer from the tick to your dog
  • IF TRANSFERRED, it will take 4- 6 weeks for a positive to show up on the 4DX blood test

  • SIGNS OF INFECTION:USUALLY SILENT BUT MAY INCLUDE:
  1. shifting lameness: dog limps on one leg, then gets better, then lame on a different leg
  2. fever
  3. swollen joints
  4. "not him/herself"
  5. off food
  6. kidney failure
 

DIAGNOSIS + TREATMENT: 

4DX IS A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST, WHICH  ALSO TESTS FOR 2 OTHER TICK-BORNE DISEASES AND FOR HEARTWORM.

If the LYME test is positive, then the test is confirmed at a laboratory with a different procedure, called the LYME Quantitative C6 antibody test.

Treatment is a specific antibiotic which has to be given for 30 days. Recheck blood tests are done 6 and then 12 months later and then annually to ensure that the C6 antibody value is going down and also to ensure that your pet has not been reinfected.

  PREVENTION :

  • TICKS LOVE MAINLY MOIST VEGETATION, BUT WILL SURVIVE IN SLIGHTLY LESS MOIST AREAS
  • CHECK YOUR DOG OR CAT after they have been outdoors, ESPECIALLY IF THEY WERE IN  DEAD LEAVES, LOW BUSH OR TALL GRASS AREAS ( see dogsandticks.com on how)
  • KEEP GRASS SHORT
  • PUT A BARRIER OF WOOD CHIPSbetween any shrubbery or woodland and your lawn
  • TICKS ARE CARRIED BY WARM BODIES INCLUDING BIRDS AND  DEER
  • DON'T HAVE BIRD FEEDERSor don't allow your pets underneath them
  • DOGS ONLY: VACCINATE (NOT 100% EFFECTIVE)*
  • DOGS ONLY: PREVENTION: ADVANTIX/BRAVECTO/NEXGARD ( NOT 100% EFFECTIVE)

  • CATS:NEW NEW NEW!!! BRAVECTO  is now available for cats!!! lasts for 2 months  and fleas for 10 WEEKS and is applied onto the back of the head ( like Advantage )
  • CATS:ALSO AVAILABLE IS REVOLUTION PLUS

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    * IT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT VACCINATION  against LYME

AND 

A PREVENTATIVE (NEXGARD OR ADVANTIX OR BRAVECTO)

WILL PROTECT YOUR DOG BEST

  WHEN USED TOGETHER

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