Stay One Tick Ahead Of Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by parasitic ticks. The disease can be picked up by any animal or human, anywhere in the world.

Some areas of the UK have a higher risk than others, including grassy, wooded areas in the south of England and the Scottish Highlands. Most tick bites happen between May and October.

The disease is spread by ticks that carry a specific bacterium after biting an infected animal. While not all ticks carry this bacterium, it’s near impossible to know which ones do.

According to the veterinary charity, PDSA, the number of known cases of Lyme disease in pets has increased by 500% since 2009. The number of human cases has mirrored this rise too, so staying one step ahead of ticks is now more important than ever.

What causes Lyme disease in dogs and cats?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, called Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria which is transmitted through a tick bite. At least four known types of tick can transmit this bacterium. 

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease in pets?

Only a small percentage of pets develop symptoms of Lyme disease, and they can take weeks or even months to take hold. Be sure to look out for the following signs of Lyme disease in dogs and cats:

• Limping
• Arthritis and swollen joints
• Lethargy and lameness
• High fever
• Loss of appetite
• Kidney damage

How to deal with tick bites in cats and dogs

Dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to tick bites and tick-related diseases, which might not always be easy to detect.

Ensure you check your pets after walks through grassy and wooded areas for any ticks that may have become attached, and speak to your vet practice if you find any. We advise that you thoroughly brush your dog after each walk.

What to do if a tick head is stuck in your pet

If you do spot a tick, don’t be tempted to remove it; ticks latch on tightly, and you can remove the tick’s body but leave part of the mouth, causing irritation and infection. Instead, your vet can help ensure the tick is removed in full. If a tick is removed within 24 hours, infection can be prevented.

Read our complete guide to ticks.

Lyme disease treatment 

If you suspect your pet has Lyme disease, contact your local Medivet practice as soon as possible.

If the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, your vet will recommend a course of antibiotics. A longer treatment is usually recommended as by the time the symptoms show, the disease will have spread.

However, even with a course of antibiotics, the bacteria can still remain in some bodily tissues.

How to prevent Lyme disease

Tick control and removal are crucial to preventing Lyme disease as well as other diseases that ticks carry.

To protect your pets, use an effective parasite treatment that kills ticks within two days. These come in many forms, and your vet will be able to prescribe you with a treatment that’s best suited to your pet.

Regular parasite treatment is included as part of the Medivet Healthcare Plan. A cost-effective way to ensure that your pet is protected from ticks all-year-round.

Vaccinations are available for Lyme disease, although they’re not always 100% effective. Your vet will help you decide whether to opt for vaccination.

Contact your local Medivet practice for more information.