[CorkyMax]

Deadly Tick Disease
Lyme disease is a disease that dogs get from a deer tick bite that allows the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Not all dogs are at risk for Lyme disease, only ones that live in specific areas of
the or have been in these specific areas. Dogs in the Northeast from Massachusetts to Maryland North-central states, especially Wisconsin and Minnesota and the West coast, especially Northern California are at risk for this disease.

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include a high fever, swollen lymphnodes, lameness, no appetite, swollen joints and the dog is often lethargic, wanting to be just left alone. Of course, anytime you discover a tick on your dog, remove it immediately and watch for these symptoms. Do not just assume that it is a summer cold. Take the dog to the veterinarian to be sure what is wrong and begin treatment to fix it.

At the veterinarian’s office, the dog will undergo a series of procedures, which will enable the veterinarian to diagnose and treat the Lyme disease. The first procedure will be a history of the dog with an emphasis on where it has been located lately. It is important for the veterinarian to know if it has been in an endemic area, such as areas mentioned earlier, and if the owner has noticed any ticks on the dog. The veterinarian will also pay close attention to any clinical symptoms such as a fever or swollen lymphnodes. The vet will also draw blood to perform blood tests. After getting all the information available, the veterinarian should be able to come to a diagnosis and be ready for treatment to begin

Treatment for Lyme disease begins with Doxycycline, Ampicillin or Amoxycillin, which are all antibiotics, are given for thirsty days. If Doxycycline is prescribed, it will need to be given orally every 12 to 24 hours
according to what the veterinarian prescribes. This antibiotic is lipid soluble and is relatively inexpensive, but cannot be given to growing dogs. If Amoxycillin or Ampicillin is prescribed, they are usually given every 8 hours. These two antibiotics are used most often when treating Lyme disease and are usually very successful. But, the antibiotic treatment does not eliminate the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease.

Lyme disease in dogs is basically a regional problem, so if your traveling throughout the with your dog, be sure to find out if you will be in one of these Lyme Disease epidemic areas. If so, take the proper precautions by using flea and tick control.

[Yogi]

There are advantages in living in the Northwest. We do not see this nor do we see heart worm. Regional issues are something that can definitely play havoc with pets when it comes to things like this.

[Todd]

Here are a few cool maps showing where Lyme disease is most prevelant and where it's not common;

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Todd

Here are a few cool maps showing where Lyme disease is most prevelant and where it's not common;

Wi. (where I live) looked good in the 1st map--but makes no sense as in the 2nd map--Wi. is among the most reported cases?!:???:

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Wi. (where I live) looked good in the 1st map--but makes no sense as in the 2nd map--Wi. is among the most reported cases?!:???:

You're right. I didn't notice that. I'll go ahead and delete the first one because it doesn't have any sources posted. Looks like it may have some mistakes. The second one though should be pretty reliable because it was actually conducted by the CDC. Again, I delete the first one. The second one is more reliable. Thanks for catching that though. I didn't notice it. Maybe the first one was old. The second one is up to 2006 so should be fairly current.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Todd

You're right. I didn't notice that. I'll go ahead and delete the first one because it doesn't have any sources posted. Looks like it may have some mistakes. The second one though should be pretty reliable because it was actually conducted by the CDC. Again, I delete the first one. The second one is more reliable. Thanks for catching that though. I didn't notice it. Maybe the first one was old. The second one is up to 2006 so should be fairly current.

I was a little concerned anyway when it listed Wi as not a place for Lyme Disease as I knew cases had been reported before. I just looked up in my Home Vet Book about Lyme Disease and it mentioned these states as having the most cases--(NOTE that this was written in 2000)-Most cases are found in wooded locations in the Northeast, upper Midwest (including much of Wisconsin and Minnesota) And take note, YOGI-northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Also states: Lyme Disease is spread during tick season--May through August--peaking in July.

[Lara's mom]

I don't think we have that in Canada, at least not in the part I'm from. I've never known anyone who's dog had this. We don't have much Heartworm either but, I get the preventative every year anyway, just in case.

[Todd]

Just got this from a newsletter email from Dr. Andrew Jones and I thought I'd share it;

Hello Todd,

Re: Lyme Risks

///////////////////////////////////////////////////

Hello and Good Morning to you, Todd.

With my NEWEST family member ( my Dad's scruffy
Bearded Collie, Jessie) I also received a few
unwanted guests.

Jessie came with ...12 Ticks.

This all came to light after the Animal Shelter
director and skilled groomer Judy was kind enough
to groom him... ( although he now looks pretty
funny like a poodle gone wrong :-) )

Ticks though are NO laughing matter, especially
in light of this story.


------------------------------------------
Half of U.S. states report 500-plus Lyme
positive dogs
------------------------------------------

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

LAS VEGAS-- New data suggest that nearly half
the states in this country reported 500-plus
Lyme positive dogs between 2001 and July 2009.

As might be expected, states in the Northeast
and the upper Midwest -- Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois and Michigan -- remain at greatest
risk for Lyme disease. Other states like
Florida, Texas, Nevada, California and
Oregon remained in the 500-plus category.

The release of the data has led to a
collaboration between IDEXX and Merial
to sponsor April as Prevent Lyme Disease
month. Another interesting finding is
that veterinarians practicing in Lyme-endemic
areas may experience up to 73 percent of
dogs testing positive for Borrelia burgdorferi
infection.

According to cumulative statistics recently
released by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., nearly
half the states (23) in the United States
reported 500-plus Lyme-positive dogs between
2001 and July 2009. No state is free from
the disease. An additional seven states
logged between 251 and 500 Lyme-positive
dogs. As the fifth year of April as Prevent
Lyme in Dogs Month approaches, Merial
reports that the designated month serves
as a reminder to continue Lyme education
and to have at-risk dogs vaccinated.

Dogs showing clear clinical signs are
observed only in 5 percent of infected
patients (Levy, et al, JAVMA 1992; 200:344-347).
Clinical signs include limping, lymph-node
swelling, fever, loss of appetite, painful
joints and general lethargy.

The Lyme campaign encourages veterinarians
to consider these facts:

* Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi
occurs following the attachment and
feeding of the black-legged tick.

Transmission occurs typically after
ticks have remained attached for greater
than 48 hours or longer.

* Veterinarians practicing in Lyme-endemic
areas may experience up to 73 percent of
dogs testing positive for Borrelia burgdorferi
infection.

* Based on experimental studies, experts
believe many dogs never get rid of the
Borrelia burgdorferi infection, even with
antibiotic therapy.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////

P.S. First contact your local Veterinarian ad
find out IF you live in an area with Ticks
that carry Lyme disease. IF so then you need
to be vigilant.

Check for Ticks at the end of the day after
walking.

You can use a flea comb.

There are some new potentially effective insecticides,
BUT they may also have side effects.

Ticks are pretty hardy little creatures.

In some cases you will have no choice but to use
these.

IN most cases though, taking the time to check
for Ticks is all you need to do.

And IF you suspect your dog is feeling ill
from Lyme disease, see your Vet.

Best Wishes,

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM