Preventive Dog Health - Is Your Dog at Risk for Lyme Disease? |
A type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by the deer tick, causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease may cause serious dog health problems, such as lameness, enlarged lymph nodes, and an elevated temperature (103 degrees Fahrenheit). The joint pain can become quite extreme. In severe cases, the bacteria can damage the kidneys and immune system. Antibiotics should be administered to eliminate this disease.
Dogs at high risk for Lyme disease include those living in the northeastern part of the U.S., near the Great Lakes, or in northern California. Areas along the west coast and southern states east of Texas are moderate risk areas.
If you live in an area that has a high-risk level for contracting Lyme disease, you should vaccinate your dog as soon as possible. A typical schedule for high-risk dogs is a shot at 9-12 weeks of age, repeated in 3 weeks, and then annually for preventive dog health care.
Visit the Center for Disease Control for a map of high-risk areas. |
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