April: Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month

As temperatures rise, we will see more and more activity from bugs and creepy crawlies. This means your dog’s risk of contracting preventable illnesses will increase too! Lyme, and several other illnesses, are carried by ticks and spread through their bite. While ticks are out year round, the spring and summer see a significant increase in their numbers. That is why April is a great time to discuss the hazards of Lyme, and ways to protect your pet!

Where Do Dogs Get Lyme?

Lyme Disease in Minnesota is a well known risk for both people and dogs alike. According to The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), there have been over 109 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Sherburne County alone, and 4,189 cases across Minnesota in the first few months of 2024. 

The risk is very present, and those numbers are, unfortunately, expected to rise. Ticks are typically found in environments with heavy vegetation, like forests or grassy areas, like when you go hiking or camping. However, they can also be found in your own back yards. They are also common near bodies of water or in marshy areas.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease and Treatment

If you are worried your pet is getting ill, here are some common symptoms associated with lyme:

• Limping that starts and stops again
• Less interest in eating or complete loss of appetite
• Decreased activity, laying around often
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Painful and swollen joints
• Fever

Call your veterinarian right away to discuss the symptoms and risk factors your pet has for Lyme, including their exposure to ticks and their symptoms. To diagnose your pet, the veterinarian will want to run lab tests to rule out other illnesses and to confirm the Lyme diagnosis.

Once diagnosed, they will begin a course of antibiotics to fight back against the illness. This can take a month or longer to resolve itself.

Preventing Lyme Disease

The best way to avoid your pet getting sick is to be proactive in protecting them. A reliable tick-preventative product recommended by your veterinarian, as well as vaccination, are the strongest protections for your dog.

Additionally, you can also:

• Mow your grass, trim bushes, and remove unnecessary brush piles to make your yard less friendly to ticks.
• Inspect your pet when coming in from outdoor activities. Check their bodies over, including particularly tick-favored spots such as ears, legs, tails, and under their collar. Remove ticks you find immediately, wrapping them in tape or flushing them to dispose of them.

If you do find a tick on you or your pet, be sure to get checked for Lyme disease to be on the safe side. It can take 3 to 4 weeks before symptoms start.

Talk to your veterinarian today about prevention options.

To learn more about Lyme Disease, you can also visit another of our blogs on Lyme disease Prevention.

Disclaimer: This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice. Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.