Lyme Disease,

A rising problem in our area

Lyme disease is a problem I frequently diagnose in dogs in our area.  I suspect Lyme disease in any dog that has a fever, loss of appetite, or joint pain or swelling.  The dog may show lameness and generalized weakness.  Although successfully treatable in most cases, some dogs will develop life threatening kidney, heart, or neurological complications.

Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick.  The high population of wild rodents and deer in our area means that the tick numbers are also high.  If the outdoor temperature is over 40 degrees, dogs and people are at risk from the ticks that transmit Lyme disease.

A pet does not need to be a hiking or hunting dog to get Lyme disease.  Irene, a resident of Kinnelon, and an employee here at the hospital, has 3 dogs; a Pug, Boston terrier and miniature Dachshund.  The Pug and Boston have tested positive, even though they are house pets with minimal time spent in the yard.  Any dog that spends time outdoors in our area is at risk.

There are several steps you can take to protect your dog against Lyme disease.  Carefully examine your dog daily for ticks and remove any that you find with tweezers.  Tick products, such as Frontline, can be effective if applied correctly.  Be careful as some insecticides and tick treatments are toxic if used on debilitated, young or geriatric dogs or if they are used improperly.  Never use a dog tick product on a cat! 

I strongly recommend vaccinating dogs in our area against Lyme disease.  Although no vaccine is 100% protective, we now have a vaccine that is so effective that the manufacturer guarantees treatment of any dog that contracts Lyme disease after proper vaccination.  I would be happy to answer any of your questions regarding this serious disease.

Alice C. Tucker, D.V.M.