Lyme disease affects people AND dogs

[Hannibal]

The weather continues to warm up as the summer months approach, which means humans and their dogs will be spending more time outdoors - increasing exposure to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

In a recent survey of more than 1,000 dog owners in the United States, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., found that less than five percent of dog owners were concerned about their pets contracting the disease.

Lyme disease is carried by a bacterium or spirochete found in deer ticks, which travel to humans and animals through the tick bites. The organism travels through the bloodstream and establishes itself in various body tissues, according to the American Lyme Disease Association's Web site.

Deer ticks are "about the size of the tip of a pen," said Dr. Therese Curry, a veterinarian at Radcliff Veterinary Clinic. "They can be very hard to find, so we recommend that people use prevention."

In humans and dogs, the first symptom of Lyme disease is often arthritic pain in the joints.

"The pain can shift from limb to limb," said Curry. "One day, the dog will be lame in one leg, and the next day they'll be lame in a different leg."

The disease can also affect the kidneys and heart, she said.

"Some dogs show up with (Lyme disease) affecting their brain," Curry added, although that's rarer. Lyme can cause fever and encephalitis symptoms.

Once detected, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, and the earlier treatment starts, the better.

Left untreated or treated too late, Lyme disease can cause permanent damage or death.

While Kentucky isn't one of the Lyme disease "hotspots," Curry said that another tick-borne disease - erlichia - is a more common illness in the Fort Knox area.

"We see that a lot more," Curry said. "It's a white blood cell parasite... that causes similar symptoms (to Lyme disease)."

The best offense against Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, Curry said, is a good defense.

She recommends that pet-owners use a once-monthly treatment program such as FrontLine or Advantix, which are $18 - $20 per dose. The medications also protect animals from fleas and mosquitoes.

"If (pets) get into bushes at all, they need to be protected," Curry said. "You cannot get it from your dog, but if you're in the same kind of environment, you can pick up the same kinds of ticks."

Dog-owners can also talk to their veterinarians about a Lyme disease vaccine. However, Curry said, the vaccine isn't good for all dogs, and can cause negative reactions.

Cats, she added, don't seem to have the same problem with Lyme as dogs, due to their meticulous grooming habits.

Over-the-counter products such as flea collars and bath additives can also help, Curry said, but they have a high failure rate. For example, flea baths will remove all the fleas and ticks on the animal at the time, but will do nothing to prevent parasites afterward.

Flea collars, she said, can also be toxic for children who are prone to putting things in their mouths.

Service members and their families can take their pets to the Fort Knox Veterinary Clinic for Lyme disease preventive medication and treatment. To schedule an appointment, call 624-5819.