How to Protecting a Pet from Lyme Disease

Protecting pets from Lyme disease is extremely important. Lyme disease is sometimes very difficult to diagnose, but it is clear that it is spread to animals by ticks infected with a spirochete type bacteria called Borrelia. Dogs are most often infected, but Lyme disease is also found in horses, cattle, cats and humans. However, you can't be infected with Lyme disease directly from your dog. Humans would have to be bitten by an infected tick to develop the disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Control ticks, which is the most effective way to protect your pet from getting Lyme disease. Ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, fields, sandy areas and even residential yards. Using pesticides in areas that you own will help control ticks in the outdoor areas.

2. Check your dog or other animal regularly for ticks, especially when they have been exposed to wooded areas, tall grasses and fields. Many vets will recommend an insecticide or topical treatment that you can apply directly on your pet once a month or as directed by your vet.

3. Take your pet to your veterinarian to be vaccinated against Lyme disease. Your vet can discuss with you the best vaccine method for your particular pet.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing a tick from your pet should be done carefully. If the tick is moving about, it is safe to grasp the tick with a pair of tweezers. Place the tick in a paper towel or cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Destroy the tick by smashing it between two hard surfaces or even put the tick in a plastic bag to destroy. Be careful to not get any blood from the tick directly on your skin as the spirochete that causes Lyme disease could possibly be spread to you through even the finest cut in your skin.
• Finding a tick that is embedded in your pet's skin is a cause for concern. Contact your vet to have the tick removed and possibly have your pet tested for Lyme disease.

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