Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to dogs and people through tick bites. The mild climate in North Carolina enables the ticks to live year round, but there is a greater chance of being bitten by a tick and contracting the disease when their population numbers sharply increase during spring and summer months. The disease can be debilitating if untreated. Ticks that carry the Lyme disease can be found in recreational parks, woodland paths, farm pastures, wastelands and other shrubby areas in rural and suburban North Carolina. Simply taking your dog for a walk may lead to the opportunity for a tick to latch onto your pet and try to make a home for itself.

Fortunately, Lyme disease may be prevented or successfully treated if diagnosed in its early stages. Veterinarian Mike Metz, DVM, of Companion Animal Hospital of Wakefield, offers some helpful tips to keep your pet safe this season. He suggests having your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease, and applying a topical tick prevention product to your pet on a monthly basis year-round. Check your pet daily for ticks by brushing its fur and applying enough pressure to feel any small bumps. Ticks can vary in size from a pinhead to a raisin and are usually black or brown in color.

To spread infection, the tick needs to be imbedded in your pet for 24-48 hours. Dr. Metz cautions that symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to many other illnesses and may include any or all or the following: lameness, loss of appetite, stiff movements, swollen joints that are warm to the touch, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or lethargy. If any of these symptoms are present, contact your veterinarian immediately to diagnose the condition and, if necessary, administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic in the early stages of the disease.

“In addition to the Lyme vaccine and application of a monthly topical tick preventative, it is critical to check your pet for ticks, be alert for symptoms, and have your pet tested for the disease annually.” says Dr. Metz. “Daily tick checks will reduce the chances of infection, and early intervention will make recovery for your pet much easier if they do contract Lyme disease.” When in doubt or if you have questions, call your veterinarian. Additional information may be found at the American Lyme Disease Foundation website atwww.aldf.com and the website www.dogsandticks.com.

Dealing with Fleas

Fleas.  The word spreads terror through pet owners, and with good reason. The little pests wreck havoc in a home and spread misery to pets and their owners alike. Here is some helpful information to assist pet owners in dealing with fleas.  

Fleas have been around for millions of years.  Female fleas lay eggs that turn into grub-like larvae.  The larvae develop into pupae and settle into a cocoon, then wait to find a host, latch on and feast on its blood.  Fleas feed on blood but can live without a meal of blood for up to 100 days.  Female fleas will lay eggs within 36-48 hours of having a meal and may lay up to 2,000 eggs in their lifetime. 

While fleas can sometimes be confused with lice and ticks, they are reddish brown to black in color and have no wings. They are about an eighth of an inch in size as an adult and can crawl, bite and hitch a ride from one host to another. The cat flea is the most common type and will be found on domesticated cats and dogs.  Unlike other types of fleas, cat fleas will feed, mate and lay eggs all in one place.  Flea larvae develop more quickly in warm and hot temperatures which is why the spring and summer months are prime time for flea activity.  An adult cat flea can generally live 30-40 days on its host.

Fleas are irritating to deal with, and they can spread a wide range of diseases that may affect your pet’s overall health. These diseases include flea allergy dermatitus, anemia, rickettsiosis, and can infect pets with intestinal parasites known as tapeworms.   Fleabites are small, red spots surrounded by a red halo.  They usually do not produce swelling but cause itching that can become irritating to people and pets with sensitive skin.  If your pet experiences intense itching, hair loss, reddening of the skin or secondary infections, it may be suffering from fleabite allergy dermatitis.