Can i get lyme disease from my dog

When returning from a tick-infested area, do a thorough search for ticks on yourself and your animals. Ticks should be removed carefully with tweezers, pinching the tick near the point they enter the skin. There are also many highly effective veterinary products that will kill ticks on your dog before they can transmit the bacteria. Early removal of ticks reduces the chance of transmission. A vaccine has been approved for use in dogs for Lyme disease prevention, but most authors of veterinary articles on Lyme disease do not recommend vaccinating dogs in non-endemic areas.

Not all authors agree on how effective the vaccine is in preventing Lyme disease or whether it should be given in endemic regions. For more information about tick control products or Lyme disease, consult your veterinarian. This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.

Dogs with Lyme disease can experience an array of signs, including joint pain, swelling and fever. Dogs may not show signs of illness for weeks or months after an infected tick bites them — and many dogs that are infected never show signs of illness. Fortunately, some tests can determine if a dog has been infected, though it can take up to nine weeks for some tests to show positive results.

Signs of Lyme disease depend on the progression of the initial infection. Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose, and infection can be difficult to detect in dogs. The AVMA encourages pet owners to consult a veterinarian for testing, care and treatment of dogs that may have Lyme disease.

A veterinarian may perform blood tests to detect the presence of antibodies to the bacterial agent of Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi. The potential for infection exists in almost any month, provided the ingredients of weather, temperature and infected ticks are present. It can be a year-round issue, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. The council encourages pet owners to protect dogs all year long. Check out this map from the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Tick avoidance plays a role in disease control. Vaccines that prevent infection in dogs are available; these appear to work best when given to dogs before they are exposed to Lyme-causing bacteria. Vaccination and appropriate boosters may be recommended by your veterinarian if you live in an area where Lyme disease is common.

Any ticks found on your dog should be promptly removed in order to help prevent transmission of Lyme disease and other diseases spread by ticks. Dogs are not the direct source of infection in people. Pets may bring unattached infected ticks into the household and if they then attach to another animal or person, they may transmit Lyme disease.

Also see professional content regarding Lyme disease of dogs Lyme Borreliosis in Animals Lyme borreliosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks infected with spirochetal bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia.

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