Lyme Disease Fact Sheet:

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease that is spread by dog and deer ticks. Dogs are 50% more likely to get Lyme disease than are humans. It is important to note that we are diagnosing Lyme disease even in dogs that live in town or housing developments. All dogs that go outside are at risk for acquiring Lyme disease.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include lameness, fever, joint swelling, kidney failure, and heart problems. Some pets are naturally exposed to Lyme disease but do not develop clinical signs right away. Therefore, it is important to identify these animals with yearly testing so that we can treat them appropriately.

Can I, or my family be infected by our pets?

Lyme disease cannot be transmitted directly from your pet to you or your family. However, if ticks are found in your area, your family is at risk. Inspect your dog and family members for ticks at least daily after being outdoors.

How can I prevent Lyme Disease?

To prevent Lyme disease, you should follow these recommendations:

1. Flea and Tick Prevention: Your pet should stay on a veterinary flea and tick product every month year-round. Frontline Plus and Advantix are the two most effective and commonly prescribed. Advantix should not be used in households where cats may contact your dog. Although Frontline will kill ticks, the larger dog ticks may have a chance to transmit Lyme disease before dying. If you use Frontline, you might consider using a Preventic collar as well.
   
   
2. Check your pet for ticks every day: You should inspect you dog's coat daily for ticks. IF you see or feel a tick or a hard bump, call your veterinarian to learn how to remove the tick properly. It is important to note that although you may use a veterinary flea and tick product, you may still see live ticks on your pet because it does take some time for the medication to kill them. If you do see live ticks on your pet, please remove them.
   
   
3. Lyme vaccine: There is a vaccine available to help prevent your pet against Lyme disease. Initially, your dog will need two Lyme vaccines 4 weeks apart to obtain an adequate immune response. After this initial series, the Lyme vaccine will be boostered yearly. No Lyme vaccine has been proven to be 100% effective, but vaccination is another defense against disease.

What treatment is recommended for Lyme disease?

Testing: We strongly recommend testing your dog yearly for Lyme disease. This is a simple blood test and it is included with your dog's yearly Heartworm test. If your pet tests positive for Lyme disease, the following treatment is recommended:

• Antibiotics: Your dog will be placed on a 4-week course of treatment with Doxycycline. This is an antibiotic of choice for treating Lyme disease. This antibiotic can cause vomiting and you should call us if you note this problem. If so, we will allow you to exchange the Doxycycline for another appropriate antibiotic. To help prevent the risk of vomiting with Doxycycline, you should offer this antibiotic with food.

• Vaccination: We recommend that all pets that test positive for Lyme disease be vaccinated to help prevent future re-exposure.

• Flea and Tick Prevention: We recommend that all pets that test positive for Lyme disease be placed on one of the preventions listed above.

• Urinalysis: Is is also a good idea for you to bring in a sample of your pet's urine. Lyme disease can affect the kidneys and a urinalysis will be helpful in determining if there are any problems.

While Lyme disease is a potentially serious disease, we have many tools in helping us to prevent and treat it. Please use this information to help guide you in making the best possible decisions for your pet. Also, please feel free to call us with any questions that you may have. Thank you for entrusting your pet to our care!

~ The Doctors and Staff of Leesburg Veterinary Hospital