May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. While only 5–10 percent of affected dogs will have symptoms, when a canine does get Lyme disease, one of the most dominant clinical features is inflammation of the joints which causes lameness.

Depression and lack of appetite may also be apparent, and more critical scenarios including kidney damage and even heart or nervous system disease may occur.

Additional symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sensitive to touch
• Stiff walk with arched back
• Difficulty breathing

Lyme disease can be found in our area, and we highly encourage you to keep your pet on monthly flea/tick preventatives, especially in the spring and summer months. Other diseases that can be transmitted through fleas and ticks and are found in our area include Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia and Plague from Prairie Dogs. Remember, prevention is the best way to keep your pet free from these diseases.

At Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital, we offer a variety of different products for your pet which will combat fleas and ticks (which in turn combats the diseases they carry), and we also offer the Lyme vaccine, too.

For any questions about Lyme disease, or if you’d like to order products or request an appointment, contact us at (719) 528-5557 or request an appointment online.