(Chelsea Update would like to thank Shayla Lane for the information in this story.)
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), 1 in 20 dogs have tested positive for Lyme Disease in Washtenaw County so far in 2024. In 2023, our area was 1 in 30 dogs, and in 2022, 1 in 50.
This is a huge increase in recent years. As many of you have likely noticed, there are many more ticks out and about in beautiful southern Michigan. We should expect this upward trend to persist as we continue to experience very mild winters in Michigan.
What causes Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks.
What are some of the symptoms to watch for?
The most common symptoms in dogs are lameness/limping, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can show as early as 2-5 months after infection, although it is possible for signs to develop much later. Little is known about whether infected cats become ill.
Is Lyme disease a big deal?
It definitely can be. While only about 5-10% of infected animals are expected to develop clinical signs, serious kidney complications have been associated with Lyme disease in dogs beyond the outward symptoms you may observe at home.
What can I do to protect my pet?
Perform a tick check every time your pet comes back indoors. (Don’t forget to check yourself too.)
Ask your veterinarian about testing for Lyme disease annually.
Tick prevention. There are many options available right now to choose from. We strongly recommend all pets use year round prevention in Michigan. There are several other diseases ticks transmit, so preventing them in the first place should be the goal.
Talk to your veterinarian about whether your dog is a candidate for the Lyme vaccine.
*Also for everyone out there who is having an unfortunate tick interaction, the University of Rhode Island provides an incredible FREE tick identification program. By following their instructions to submit a picture, you can have the tick identified and likely riskiness of disease sent back to you within about 24 hours. Here is the link: Found A Tick? – TickEncounter (uri.edu)
Lane Animal Hospital is here to help make sure your pets are protected against these nasty parasites. Call us today to schedule an appointment for your pets. Our veterinarians and support staff would love to help you choose the best flea and tick prevention option for your pet. We also offer tick-borne disease testing in house or through our outside laboratory. We can also help get your 4-legged friend vaccinated against Lyme Disease.
