A Hidden Danger in Your Back Yard
"Lyme Disease"
25June2012
There are two factors necessary for Lyme Disease to exist: the tick perpetrator, i.e. deer tick; and the bacteria, a spiral-shaped bacteria {spirochete}, Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme Disease can be found throughout the United States and, also, is very common in Connecticut.
In your special companion, the signs of Lyme Disease may include:
- Lack of Appetite
- Lameness
- Fever
- Acting distant or lethargic
- Resisting Exercise or play
- Swollen joints
- Kidney failure-documented with lab testing by your veterinarian
As the disease progresses, there can be serious injury to the joints and in some instances fatal kidney disease.
The Diagnosis of Lyme Disease is with a simple blood test by your veterinarian called the 4DXplus Test by IDEXX Labs. This test will allow your veterinarian not only to check for Lyme Disease but also for three other tick born diseases. From this test, you will also find out if your dog is Heartworm Positive or Negative. Heartworm is a mosquito-borne disease and not a tick-borne disease.
If your Lyme test on the 4DXplus is POSITIVE, your doctor will also want to do a urinalysis to check for proteinuria. This allows your doctor to know if your pet's kidneys are suffering from the Lyme disease [i.e. Lyme Nephritis] If there is protein in the urine, your doctor will order a battery of kidney function tests along with a full Chemistry Profile and CBC. Special Imaging of the kidneys may also be recommended after the completion of clinical lab testing.
Prevention is not 100% but it is strongly recommended. Many Internal Medicine doctors recommend that you vaccinate your dog with one of the Lyme Vaccines that is available. Along with vaccination, there must be a daily scrutiny of your pet for ticks. They should be removed as directed by your veterinarian. Look carefully..... the Deer Tick can be as small as the head of a common pin. Follow your veterinarian's instructions on tick removal. Covering the tick with petroleum does not work. Burning the tick with a match or cigarette will only cause a severe burn to your pet. Use a tick removal instrument that can be found in your veterinarian's pharmacy or on the Internet. Have your doctor discuss with you the many new prescription topical products for tick control. Choose the one that you wish to use, after veterinary consultation, and continue it 12 months per year.
Remember, if your pet is positive for Lyme Disease you may also be positive. There is no direct transmission of Lyme Disease from your pet to yourself but, remember, you have been in the many places that your dog has visited and could also have been bitten by an infected tick.
Call your doctor about having a test for Lyme Disease, for yourself, if your veterinarian diagnoses Lyme Disease in your special friend.
Have a safe season; keep your grass groomed; keep your pet out of high shrubs and brush where ticks lurk; and always inspect yourself and your pet for ticks if taking a walk in the woods or in the marshes near your home.
This report on Lyme Disease has been presented by Dr. Don DeForge, Animal Doc AM.
The earlier the disease is found the greater the likelihood for a full recovery from symptoms. Unfortunately, not all Lyme infections can be cured completely. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is initiated the better it is for your special friend.
Dr. Don DeForge
Silver Sands Veterinary Center
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
1-800-838-3368
17 Seemans Lane
Milford, CT 06460
E-Mail CDRSVMD@yahoo.com
25June2012
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