Huskies and Lyme Disease in Florida
Did you know that Lyme disease wasn’t a major concern for people and pets residing in southern Florida because the notorious black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) was typically found in the upper south, northeast and midwest? Sadly, though, as more people and their pets moved south, they unwittingly introduced infected ticks into our environment. Not only that, but warmer winters and changes in their habitat have also enabled the black-legged tick population to expand, further increasing the risk of their spreading Lyme disease to us.
According to recent studies, there has been an alarming rise in the number of black-legged ticks testing positive for Borrelia burgdorferi (the cause of Lyme disease), especially in grassy, brushy and wooded areas, putting our dogs and ourselves at greater risk of exposure. Research suggests that it takes 24 to 48 hours of attachment for an infected tick to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi to a person, a dog or both. Therefore, the swifter the removal of any ticks the lower the risk of infection. Easier said than done. Why? Ticks tend to go unnoticed since they’re so small, particularly in their “nymph” stage, and dogs can pick them up simply by being in your own backyards!
What’s worse is that symptoms may take weeks or even months after an infected tick bite to appear in a dog. The most common ones include fever, lameness (joint swelling or “shifting-leg” lameness), lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, Lyme disease can cause potentially life-threatening kidney damage.
Should your Husky be diagnosed with Lyme disease, your vet will prescribe, as the primary treatment, a course of antibiotics, usually doxycycline, for a minimum of four weeks. Some Huskies may also require anti-inflammatory medications to manage their discomfort and joint pain. If their kidneys have been affected, however, hospitalization and intensive treatment may be necessary. Although many dogs recover well after receiving the proper treatment, some may experience lingering symptoms or develop chronic Lyme disease, which can, itself, lead to ongoing joint and kidney issues.
It’s never been more crucial, therefore, for all dog owners to take proactive steps NOW towards protecting both your dogs and yourselves.
Use year-round tick prevention: vet-approved flea and tick preventatives, including tick collars, topical treatments and oral medications are essential because they’re capable of killing infected ticks before they can transmit the disease to your dog.
Check for ticks every day: after spending time outdoors with your dog, thoroughly inspect him for ticks, focusing your attention on such hidden areas as his ears, under his collar, between his toes and near his tail.
Ensure that you remove any and all ticks properly: should you discover a tick on your dog, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible, and then pull it out, applying steady pressure. Avoid either twisting or crushing the tick since this can all too easily release its infectious material.
Vaccinate all high-risk dogs: there is a Lyme disease vaccine for dogs and may be recommended for those who frequent grassy, brushy and/or wooded areas. Ask your vet whether this vaccine is right for your dog.
Meticulously maintain your yard: regularly mowing your lawn, removing leaves, fallen branches, twigs and other detritus, and creating a barrier of either gravel or wood chips between your yard and any adjacent wooded area can help reduce the tick population and the risk they pose.
Protect yourself: whenever you’re walking, hiking or spending time in nature, always cover your skin with long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and stay on marked trails. Afterwards, check yourself and your clothing thoroughly for ticks.