Lyme Disease:  What you need to know

Lyme disease is found in every state, and it has become more prevalent in Oregon in recent years.

Lyme disease is a bacterial organism that is transmitted through a tick bite.  The tick needs to be feeding on the pet for at least 12 hours to transmit the disease.

Dogs, humans, horses, cattle, rodents, opossums, raccoons, and deer can all be infected with Lyme disease bacteria. Dogs and humans are at the highest risk of becoming sick from Lyme disease.

The SYMPTOMS of Lyme disease are:

• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Muscle Weakness
• Kidney and Heart Disease

Symptoms can occur from days to months after a bite from an infected tick.

The TREATMENT of Lyme disease:

Antibiotics

Anti-inflammatories

Removal of all ticks

Supportive care with fluids if unable to eat or drink

PREVENTION of Lyme disease:

We recommend the product BRAVECTO which will protect your dog for 12 weeks from fleas and ticks.  BRAVECTO  comes in both a topical formulation and a tasty chew for dogs.  It is also wise to check your dog after exploring grassy or wooded areas, and remove any ticks that have attached.  If you are worried that your dog has Lyme disease, contact our office, we can run a very quick blood test and start treatment immediately if indicated.

 Dogs can be vaccinated to protect them from Lyme disease.  This vaccine must be given annually to be effective.

If you have Questions about vaccinations or Lyme disease, please call our office.