Three Ways To Protect Your Dog From Lyme Disease

Posted on: 3 September 2015

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Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by a very unique species of bacteria that can be transmitted by ticks. It can be very difficult to treat, and thus, it's important to do all that you can to prevent your dog from contracting the illness. If you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, here are three things you should be doing to protect your dog from Lyme disease.

Have your dog vaccinated.

Your dog can receive an initial Lyme disease vaccine with his puppy shots. He will then need an annual booster to keep his immunity up. If you have an adult dog who is unvaccinated, then your vet will likely want to test him for Lyme disease before administering the vaccine

Keep in mind that no vaccine is 100% effective. There is a small chance that even a vaccinated dog will contract Lyme disease if bitten by a tick, so you'll want to follow the two additional strategies on this list to further reduce your dog's risk of illness.

Keep your yard neat and tidy.

Ticks love hiding in tall grass, brush, and shade. If you can minimize the presence of these features in your yard, you'll reduce your dog's chances of coming into contact with a tick when he's roaming outside. Keep your grass cut short, and take care to trim weeds against your fences and buildings. Consider removing shrubbery from your landscaping, and prune the bottom branches away from trees so that there is less shade beneath them. Stack your wood in a shed, not outside, and do not let piles of leaves or branches sit for longer than a day or two.

Check your dog for ticks promptly after every outing.

If you take your dog for a walk in the woods or he otherwise spends time outdoors, always check him over for ticks immediately. If he is bitten by a tick, the faster the tick is removed, the lower the chances that Lyme disease has actually been passed from the tick to the dog. To remove a tick, use a pair of tweezers and grasp the tick firmly. Pull straight away from the skin with a steady pressure.

If your dog is bitten by a tick, whether he is vaccinated or not, always keep an eye out for signs of Lyme disease. If your dog appears stiff, lethargic, fatigued, or abnormally irritable, call your vet promptly.