Dogs - Lyme Disease

[fadedrose]

The link is a post to my own OP about finding a tick on my dog.

I thought this post (#6) so informative and timely that I wanted it on the Latest Threads so that others can read it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1161&pid=11156

Thanks to TorchTheWitch for posting it.

[hlthe2b]

1. Actually what she describes is tick paralysis, not Lyme Disease

I posted clarification to her just below in that original posting..

While the LD vaccine can be helpful in areas where Lyme is endemic, reliance on it, over primary strict tick control, is problematic. Not only do ticks sometimes impart a neurotoxin as in the poster's example, but can likewise transmit other infectious agents besides the LD bacterium. These can include Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and a number of viruses, depending on location across the country (and world, for that matter).

So, get the LD vaccine if you are in an endemic area, but don't do so at the expense of continuous control and removal of ticks. LD is not the only issue for concern.

[fadedrose]

2. Am grateful for the correction...

But all the more reason to get Frontline Plus or something like it...

I'm in Michigan, but right on the edge of a small govt, "wetlands" where there are deer and some other critters that roam thru back yards..

[hlthe2b]

3. Yes, I'm stressing comprehensive tick control

Rather than mere reliance on an LD vaccine, which while useful is not 100 percent effective for LD and not at all against other tick born disease and risks.