PET HEALTH
The Spring season is here, and that means so is a major pet health concern: Lyme Disease.
Lyme disease, which can affect both animals and humans, is known as a zoonotic disease. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi ) is carried and transmitted primarily by the deer tick and can be common in many regions of the country. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported insect-transmitted illness in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ticks can often go unnoticed because of their size. However, once a tick bites you or your dog, it is capable of causing several diseases.
The most effective way to prevent ticks (and other parasites) is to administer a preventative medication recommended by your veterinarian. However, there are other ways to help keep ticks at bay.
Here are some extra precautions you can take to keep ticks and tick-borne illnesses away from your dog:
Remember to wash your pup’s bedding and blankets at least every three months to kill any flea or tick eggs and remove allergens. Use a mild detergent when washing and add vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra softness. Be sure to avoid dryer sheets since they coat fabrics with chemicals that can be toxic to pets.
Aside from arming your pet against ticks, your yard is also an area of focus. To make your landscape less appealing to ticks, consider the following:
When outside, try to avoid areas where ticks like to gather. These types of places can include tall grasses, marshes, and wooded areas.
Ticks wait until they find a host, such as you or your dog, on which to hitch a ride indoors. Once attached to a host, a tick can feed off of the blood for hours or weeks. Once done, the tick will drop off of your pet to lay thousands of eggs.
The following steps will make your home less welcoming to these disease-carrying parasites:
You should be sure to speak with your veterinarian about whether to vaccinate your dog against Lyme disease. Your veterinarian’s advice may depend on several factors such as:
As we pack away our winter coats, our dogs do the same thing. If you haven’t been brushing your dog’s fur regularly, it's important that you start now.
Maintaining your dog’s coat is a great way to find ticks, lumps, or skin irritations before they become serious. Brushing your dog’s coat frequently will also keep it healthy and help keep shedding under control.
Examine your dog for ticks each time you return from a walk. Make sure to check under your dog’s collar, between the toes, around the face, armpits, and groin. Ticks like warm, moist areas, although they will latch on just about anywhere.
Do not use insect repellant on your dog unless it is specifically designed for animals as insect repellants can be toxic to pets.
Products for humans commonly contain DEET, an insecticide that can cause neurological issues in dogs. Signs of repellent toxicity in pets can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and lethargy.
Fleas and ticks tend to be worse during warm weather months. However, flea and tick season depends on where you live. In some climates, it is essential to treat your dog year-round. If you are unsure when to begin preventative treatment, ask your veterinarian.
There is no way to avoid ticks altogether. After all, you and your canine companion deserve to get outside and enjoy all the pawsome activities the outdoors has to offer!
The best protection against tick bites remains a monthly preventative flea and tick treatment that is given routinely. Follow up with a healthy dose of vigilance, and you and your dog should have many fun, warm weather days ahead!
Looking for more ways to keep your pup happy and healthy? Consider investing in a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1 Get your free quote today.
Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.
1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.