Lyme Disease Awareness Month = APRIL

At Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, we are always staying up to date on the latest information within the dog and cat world.  We often one of the first clinics in the region to be advised of new medicines, along with the emergence of new diseases.  This is likely due to our affiliation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, since our Orrville Veterinary Clinic performs large animal services along with providing excellent small animal care.  We also have one of our managing partners who is active on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors.  

One of the newest emerging diseases in Ohio is Lyme disease.  Lyme disease has been found in our region of Seville, Rittman, Lodi, Medina, Wadsworth as well as the counties that surround Medina and Wayne counties. Lyme disease is carried and transmitted by one species of tick, called the black legged tick.  This tick is about the size of a poppy seed. Lyme Disease has seen a dramatic increase in our area, up as much as 50% from previous years.  

The clinical signs of Lyme disease include shifting leg lameness and general malaise (not feeling well).  The offending bacteria, Borellia Burgdorfei, can attack various tissues of the body.  These include the lining of the heart, the interior of the kidneys, the joint tissue and the nervous system.  

Though Lyme disease is a scary problem to deal with, it can be prevented. There is a vaccine specifically for Lyme disease prevention. We are now recommending this vaccine.  Most of our own animals are protected and we urge all of our dog owners to do the same.  Ticks are not only found in wooded areas; they can be found almost anywhere in Medina county.  Extra precautions should be taken in higher risk areas, which do include fields and woods.

The Lyme vaccine has two parts. Your dog will come in for a first vaccine and come back for a booster 3-4 weeks later.  After this booster, he or she will be protected for a year, regardless of if it is bitten by a tick. Cats are not at risk of the disease, so vaccination is not needed in them.

Lyme disease can be treated, especially if detected early.  Some dogs will have lingering clinical signs, with some even dying from the kidney form (Lyme Nephritits).  Blood testing is needed to confirm the presence of the bacteria. The blood test is combined with our routine heartworm test.  This may be one reason why the detection of Lyme disease is on the rise in Ohio.  It is much easier to prevent the problem than to treat it afterwards, as the antibiotics needed to cure Lyme disease are very expensive, along with the blood work needed to diagnose.

Humans cannot catch Lyme disease directly from their pets; however, our pets can bring these ticks into our homes. This brings the potential for a family member to develop Lyme disease from an attached tick.  There are a number of products that we can use to prevent ticks on our pets such as tick collars, which, when applied, can last as long as 6 months and repel ticks as opposed to allowing them to attach. You should also check your dog for ticks daily, especially after the dog has been outside. You can also ask your veterinarian to check for ticks at your visits, and find out which preventatives he or she recommends.

Please call us at 330-336-5823 or email us at info@sevillevetclinic.com. We would be more than happy to answer any questions and schedule your pet’s Lyme disease vaccinations.

Article Submitted by Robin Evans

Edited and Published by Dr. Jeff Fink

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