Dr. Dan Meakin
Lyme Disease is a disease caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease in people begins with fatigue, headache, and often a characteristic rash. If left untreated, the disease may progress to include cardiac, neurolgic, and arthritic signs. Diseased pets will often only show arthritic signs, which may occur with fatigue and reluctance to eat. Recent studies show that, while only 20 percent of Lyme+ (disease positive) dogs show outwards signs, about 90 percent have internal damage from the disease.

Who can get it?

Lyme Disease was initially described in people, but the organism has been found in many wild animals. Horses, cows, and cats may harbor the bacteria, but the dog is most commonly infected.

How is it transmitted?

The disease is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick. Fifty percent of deer ticks, which can be the size of a poppy seed, carry the disease and, contrary to the popular belief that ticks are only a problem in the warm spring to fall months, deer ticks carry and can transmit it year-round. While humans cannot get the disease directly from their dog, those pets who are not on preventative medicine can carry disease-bearing ticks, who can transmit to humans, into your home.

Where does it occur?

Lyme Disease appears to have a worldwide distribution. It has been found throughout the United States and Canada, but infections are most frequently diagnosed in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and north-central states, as well as in California.

Urgent Medical Alert: Lyme Disease has been found in 65 Ohio counties. 24 of those counties are now considered endemic for the disease including Clermont and Hamilton!

What does a positive test mean?

A positive antibody test for Lyme Disease only shows that your pet has been exposed to the organism at some point in time. It does NOT mean that your pet is currently infected. The test is performed to help evaluate clinical signs where the disease could be a possibility. Often a diagnosis of Lyme Disease cannot be made until a response is seen from treatment of the disease. Many pets that are exposed to the organism will test positive, but never develop signs.

How is it treated?

The disease is readily treated with antibiotics. The earlier in the course of the disease treatment is begun, the better the chance for complete cure. Your pet may appear well after only a couple of days of medication, but it is important to continue giving the drug for the full time period or your pet may show signs again.

How can it be prevented?

Through a multi-faceted approach of vaccination, tick prevention, and prompt tick removal, the disease is almost entirely preventable. In response to the recent rise in Lyme+ cases, All Creatures Animal Hospital is now considering the Lyme vaccination core and is recommending it to all dogs. Keeping your pets on tick prevention year-round not only protects them, it also protects you and your family.

This month only –a special on lyme vaccines!

Purchase the first vaccine and receive the booster for free. To schedule an appointment or get more information on the disease, vaccination, and/or prevention, please call us at 513-797-7387.

Dr. Dan Meakin is the owner of All Creatures Animal Hospital, 1894 Ohio Pike in Amelia. Call 513-797-PETS (7387).