How Can I Protect My Dog From Lyme Disease?

Many homeowners with pet dogs who have fenced-in backyards often let their furry friends spend some quality alone time outdoors during autumn. But Mosquito Squad wants to alert our neighbors in Peabody, Beverly, North Andover, Reading, Lawrence and areas surrounding northeast Massachusetts of possible tick exposure.

Contrary to what you may think, the season of autumn is no time to stop treating ticks. In fact, it’s the second most active time of the year for ticks to thrive.

SIX WAYS TO ENSURE YOUR DOGS ARE SAFER THIS AUTUMN WHILE IN YOUR BACKYARD

Here are six ways to ensure that your backyard is a safer haven for your family dog when outdoors in your backyard.

Clear Out: Reduce your tick exposure by clearing out areas where lawn and tree debris gather. This is extremely important during autumn when leaf foliage continually falls to the ground and gathers in your backyard and around your home exterior. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas and tend to die in sunny, dry areas. And even though the weather is cooler than in summer, don’t forget to trim grassy areas, especially in your backyard, where your pets and children may wander.

Clean: Eliminate leaf litter by cleaning it from around the house and lawn edges and dispose of it properly. We also recommend mowing tall grass to keep your lawn short.

Choose Plants: Since deer can bring ticks to your yard, select plants and shrubs that don’t attract deer. Remember, deer are frequent carriers of Lyme Disease, so you want to avoid attracting them to your property. You can also install physical barriers to keep deer out of your yard.

Check Hiding Places: Know tick hiding places and check them frequently. Fences, brick walls, and patio retaining walls are popular places where ticks live. They usually thrive in areas where you would not necessarily expect them.

Care for Family Pets: Family pets can suffer from tick-borne disease and can also carry infected ticks into your home. Talk to your veterinarian about using tick collars and sprays. Preventing ticks on your pets is paramount this time of year.

Call the Pros: Professional tick control can offer two levels of service to eliminate ticks before they get to you. Our traditional mosquito control mist kills adult ticks on contact, while tick tubes are placed strategically around your property to entice mice. Mice collect the cotton in the tick tubes for bedding, and since most ticks get their first blood meals from mice, they are exposed to the treated cotton that effectively eliminates them and hundreds of tick nymphs found in each mouse nest.

HOW TO SPOT LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS IN YOUR PET DOG

According to the American Kennel Club, here are the typical symptoms to watch for:

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Reduced energy

• Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent, and recurring)

• Generalized stiffness, discomfort, or pain

• Swelling of joints

• Symptoms can progress to kidney failure, which can be fatal. Serious cardiac and neurological effects can also occur.

A confirmed diagnosis can be performed by your pet’s veterinarian. The two blood tests for diagnosing Lyme disease in dogs are called the C6 Test and Quant C6 test.

A VACCINE TO PROTECT DOGS FROM LYME DISEASE IS AVAILABLE

To explore the reported pros and cons of protecting your dog from Lyme Disease, we suggest that you refer to this post from Today’s Veterinary Practice. Should you decide to take this course of action, you will be better informed.

And speaking of better informed, now that you know of the dangers potentially lurking outdoors for your dog, schedule your tick tube control visit now with The Squad.