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5 Practical Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month

Summer is just around the corner and that means tick season is here. Unfortunately, thousands of dogs and humans get sick from tick bites. That’s why prevention is so important. The best way to keep the ticks from infecting your dog with Lyme disease is to know how to prevent and be proactive about it.

What Is Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a sickness caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by an organism known as the black-legged tick, or Ixodes scapularis. It is transmitted through the tick’s saliva, which will then enter the dog’s skin, and then the bacteria travel to the dog’s blood.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Depending on the dog’s body and immune system, he or she may experience symptoms of Lyme disease right away or within a few days. It is vital to know the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs so you can get it treated immediately.

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include:

  • Limping around
  • Pain
  • Difficulty walking
  • Very exhausted
  • No appetite
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Loss of energy due to the illness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rashes
  • Fever

Here are some practical ways on how to prevent Lyme disease in dogs:

1. Check for Ticks

One of the most important things you can do to prevent Lyme disease in dogs is to check your dog for ticks regularly, especially when you take your dog out hiking, in tall grass, or in wooded areas. A tick can attach to your dog’s skin within minutes, so it’s important to check your dog thoroughly after any outdoor activity.

One of the first signs of Lyme disease is an inflamed, irritable red tick bite mark. If you notice this your dog is itching or scratching uncontrollably, you should examine your dog closely, especially around the ears and neck. If you find a tick, remove it immediately and contact your vet.

2. Use a Quality Tick and Flea Prevention Product

The easiest way to prevent Lyme disease in dogs is to keep the tick and flea population down. You will be happy to know that there is no shortage of products that help with this.

The most common product that you will see on your local grocery store or pet store shelves is Advantix. The active ingredient that kills ticks and fleas is called permethrin. Advantix also kills mites and other parasites. The product is not cheap but it is a very effective tick and flea prevention.

Some dogs can be allergic to certain products. This can cause irritation and itching, which can make it difficult for your dog to stop scratching and biting like crazy. If this happens, have your vet check your dog to rule out any allergies.

3. Prevent Ticks on Your Property

Your dog can get ticks from your property, especially if you have a wooded area near your home. In those cases, the ticks can walk over from the woods when the sun goes down. The ticks will be out looking for a blood meal at night.

There are several things you can do to prevent ticks on your property.

  • Have tall grass mowed and trimmed
  • Establish a ground-cover
  • Keep wooded areas trimmed and clear
  • Use mulch and ground cover to attract wildlife away from the yard
  • Apply an insecticide

4. Use Flea Products with Ivermectin

The active ingredient in most flea and tick products is an insecticide called permethrin. The problem is that the product kills ticks, but not fleas. Fleas are more difficult to kill because they live in your dog’s fur and lay their eggs in your dog’s hair. To get rid of fleas and ticks you should use a flea product with ivermectin. Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic to treat and prevent external parasitic infections in dogs.

5.  Treat Your Dog, Even If He Hasn’t Been Bitten

It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you know you will be taking your dog to a place where ticks are prevalent, you should consult your vet about a preventative treatment for Lyme disease.

The reason for this is that symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can take up to several weeks to appear. By the time your dog starts to show signs, it may be too late.

Conclusion

Most cases of Lyme disease in dogs get diagnosed when the dog is very sick. Don’t let this happen to your pet. Take the preventive steps we talked about today to keep your dog safe from Lyme disease.

EarthWise Pet Fremont offers dog grooming in Seattle that is gentle, stress-free and necessary for a healthy pet. Check out our list of services and pet products today!