What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is spread by a tick as small as the period at the end of this sentence and no larger than the head of a pin. It is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borella that is transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of the tick. In people, the disease can appear to be as simple as the Flu or as serious as Alzheimer's Disease. If untreated, it can lead to joint damage and heart and neurological complications. In animals also, the disease can seem like the flu or arthritis and can lead to joint damage, heart complications and kidney problems. Studies indicate dogs are 50% more susceptible to Lyme Disease than humans.

How Is It Transmitted?
Several species of ticks transmit the disease, most commonly the "deer tick". The baby deer ticks, called larva, feed on rodents and rabbits, especially the white-footed mouse. These animals infest the larvae with the Borella bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The tick then matures to its juvenile stage, known as the nymph stage. The nymph form of the tick feeds on white-footed mice, rodents, white-tailed deer, squirrels, birds, cows, dogs and humans. The final adult form of the tick primarily feeds on larger animals, deer, horses, cows, dogs and humans. The greatest chance of becoming infected by the bite of the tick occurs during May through September, the period of greatest nymph activity. There is a moderate risk in the fall months and low risk during winter.

What Are The Symptoms?
Lyme Disease is not easy to detect because there are a variety of symptoms, which may not appear for a long time after being infected. In humans there are typically three stages to the disease. The first symptom is usually a skin rash that occurs at the site of the tick bite within a month. The rash begins as a small red area which gradually enlarges, often with a partial clearing in the center of the lesion so that it resembles a doughnut or bulls eye. Not all people develop this a rash. Other skin problems which may occur in the early stage of the disease include hives, redness of the cheeks and under the eyes and/or swelling of the eyelids with reddening of whites of the eyes. These signs may be accompanied by fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands. In the second stage of the disease the nervous system and heart can be affected. Headaches, neck pain, and rapid or irregular heartbeats are commonly found in this stage. Finally, chronic arthritis and neurological problems can develop. The stages in dogs are not as clear. Animals seldom develop the rash found in people. The common clinical signs are fever, loss of appetite, and limping. These can develop within weeks of initial infection. Recurring lameness, swollen lymph nodes, kidney and heart problems can develop weeks to months later.

How Is It Diagnosed?
If an animal has symptoms suspicious of Lyme disease we can perform a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.

What Is The Treatment?
Antibiotics are effective in treating the disease in both animals and humans in the early stages. If detected early enough, there is almost complete relief of pain and lameness within 24 hours of initial treatment in animals. Chronic cases of the disease respond much slower and require longer periods of treatment. How

Can It Be Prevented?
Tick control is one of the best ways to avoid Lyme disease. Avoid areas where ticks are found. "Chemical warfare" always helps. We recommend Frontline Topspot, Frontline spray, or in extreme cases a Preventic collar. Vaccines are available to protect dogs and humans. If you have found ticks on your dog or if your dog has access to woods or tall grassy areas, we recommend that he receive the Lyme vaccine