A new report has shown that more dogs are testing positive for the deadly Lyme disease. This is a big surprise since dogs testing for the disease were on the decline, now researchers are scrambling to save man's best friend.
Strangely enough, this bacterium is also dangerous to humans, and it would likely make a human sick than dogs. Because of this issue, Lyme disease is very dangerous, more so if it continues to spread among the dog populations.
According to Dr. Meryl Littman, dog owners should know that around 95 percent of all dogs that have the Lyme disease will not get sick from it, so one should not worry too much about it unless the animal is showing signs of sickness.
"Before pet owners panic, they need to realize that 95 percent of dogs that are Lyme positive don't get sick," said Dr. Meryl Littman, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine who is not affiliated with Banfield or the new report. "But dogs are sentinels for the fact that humans in the same environments are also exposed to ticks carrying these organisms."
How do dogs get infected with Lyme disease?
This might surprise, but it does not come from dogs mating with other dogs, or making any form of contact. The problem here is ticks that are infected with the disease, and if these insects should prey on your dog, chances are the disease would be transferred.
Still, only five percent of all infected dogs show any sign of fever and lameness, or even kidney problems for that matter.
How to protect your dog
Ask your veterinarian for products that are designed to ward off ticks. If ticks are unable to take up residence in your dog's fur, chances are your beloved pet may never have to suffer from Lyme disease, and you'll be able to sleep well at nights.
Now, when it comes down to a human protecting themselves from ticks, bear in mind that ticks ward for dogs won't do you any good. We chose to make this clear since some people might believe otherwise.
