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Animal Lover Gift Ideas
Animal Lover Gifts come in many shapes, sizes and price
ranges. The easiest way to shop is to start with the correct
"Critter Category!" If you are buying for a varied-critter home,
try a Gift Certificate to a major Pet Superstore. This
gift...
Cat Litter Box Location Strategies
Just like in real estate where location is crucial, so it is for your cat's litter boxes.
Here's some ideas and tips on how to effectively locate them for good cat litter box habits.
When you think about cat litter box placement, imagine if...
Clicker Dog Training
The newest dog training craze is clicker dog training. A clicker
is a small rectangular plastic box with a metal button on top
that clicks, hence the name clicker. It's the type of training
that the dog decides whether or not it suits him. There...
If You Seriously Want Your Cat To Be Happy and Healthy, You Must Help With Grooming
Although your cat may take the time to clean himself through
licking his paws and face, he does still need you. Cats don't
want to be dirty and they need you to help them stay clean.
Grooming your cat has to happen. You need to do it to...
Step By Step Guide To Choosing The Right Dog Breed
Did you know that there are several hundred dog breeds? With that large number of breeds to choose from, how do people manage to decide which breed is right for them? Luckily, you can narrow down the choices and find the right dog breed by following...
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Lyme Disease In Dogs Is A Serious Matter
Lyme disease is caused by an organism known as a spirochete,
which is a coiled rod-shaped bacterium and named Borrelia
burgdorferi. It is passed to dogs and people by deer ticks
carrying the infection; the ticks get the infection from the
white-footed mouse, which acts as a carrier. The only way a tick
can transmit the bacteria is to remain attached to the animal's
skin for one to two days. Unfortunately, these ticks are very
small and easily can go unnoticed. Lyme disease in dogs has been
found worldwide and in ancient Chinese medical literature they
actually describe a syndrome very similar to Lyme disease,
thousands of years before Lyme , Connecticut was named. In the
United States , more than 90% of the cases occur in the
Northeast, with California and Mississippi second. Lyme disease
in dogs is fairly common, but rarely seen in cats, although some
cats have been infected with it.
The main clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs include a sudden
yet recurring lameness that may shift from leg to leg. Sometimes
this lameness is associated with a fever and depression.
Occasionally you will see swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes the
joints may be swollen, feel warm, and it's very painful. The dog
infected will usually walk stiffly with a hunched back. Lyme
disease in dogs is really very painful and they commonly are
very sensitive to touch and may cry out with even the slightest
touch. Many dogs with Lyme disease that were diagnosed with
slipped discs in their
neck and crying in pain and it was
actually Lyme disease causes muscle spasms in the neck and they
only improved when they were administered the appropriate
antibiotic. Sometimes you will see the classic red round target
lesion around a tick bite on your pet and within a few days they
may show the signs of lameness, fever and sensitivity to touch.
If you suspect your pet has Lyme disease, take them to the vet
immediately for treatment.
Treatment
Treatment involves the use of an appropriate antibiotic, such as
doxycycline, for at least three to four weeks.
Prognosis
Dogs should begin to show signs of recovery two to three days
after beginning treatment. However, the disease may recur within
a few weeks or months; in these cases, the dog will need to
return to antibiotic therapy for extended periods.
Prevention
There is a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme disease. Quick
removal of a tick also will help prevent Lyme disease because
the tick must remain attached to the dog's body for one to two
days before the disease can be transmitted. Consult with a
veterinarian about the different tick prevention products that
are available, as they can be an effective way to prevent the
disease. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner your pet
will be without pain.
About the author:
LeeAnna is an expert author who writes for Lyme Disease in
Dogs
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