Lyme Disease Awareness

 

In continuation of our Parasite Prevention campaign, May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month here at Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital. Lyme Disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transferred to humans as well as our dogs through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Once these guys latch on and begin their blood meal it takes 24-48 hours for the bacteria to be transferred to the host through the saliva of the tick. Once your dog is infected with Lyme Disease it can cause a range of symptoms. Anything from recurrent joint inflammation and lameness all the way to the more scary stuff, such as breathing difficulties and kidney failure, can occur. The typical treatment consists of a long and (unfortunately) expensive course of antibiotics and pain relievers.  If the patient is already in kidney failure you may also be looking at hospitalization and supportive care. Unfortunately treatment is not 100% foolproof, and symptoms can return weeks or even years later. Thankfully, prevention of Lyme Disease is easy! Through yearly vaccinations, testing, and year-round tick preventatives you can greatly reduce your pet’s chance of contracting the disease. Here at OHVH we offer preventatives to suit you and your pet. From the topical solutions, such as Frontline, to chewable options, such as Nexgard, we have you covered. We also offer heartworm tests that include testing for three common tick borne diseases, including Lyme Disease. For the month of May we have some pretty awesome promotions to help keep your best friend safe. Give us a call or come in today to learn more!