Mercersburg Veterinary Clinic Inc.
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What would you do if
your pet got lost?...
Microchipping saves lives and the new Home Again reuniting you with your lost pet!
- Tiny anti- migration microchip is safe and reliable.
- Through Home Again website you can access your pet’s information in a secure environment. Download your information anytime for emergencies or boarding.
- Pet ID card- useful in cases of emergency or validation at kennels. Compact laminated Pet ID card contains: pet photo, pet’s name, breed, color, weight, age, gender, and vaccination information.
- The Home Again chip can be used in many counties to apply for lifetime dog license. Be sure to ask us for your lifetime license application.
Call us at 717-328-5171
To make an appointment to attend ourHome Again Clinic
Saturday, May 19th
12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m
The Mercersburg Veterinary Clinic will donate 10% of the days' event to local animal sheltersFor more information on the Home Again program visit: www.homeagain.com
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an acute, often recurrent arthritis and lameness that is transmitted through ticks. Deer ticks are the only species of tick that is able to transmit Lyme disease. This disease is becoming more common in the United States.
What causes it?
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete bacterium that enters the blood stream when the animal is bitten by an infected deer tick. Once in the blood stream, it is carried to many parts of the body. It is especially likely to localize in joints. A tick, in the nymph or adult stage, carrying Lyme disease has to bite and partially engorge before infection happens within the bloodstream of a dog. This process generally takes about 24-48 hours after the initial bite of the tick. The nymph stage of the deer tick is seen during the spring season while the adult stage of the deer tick is seen during the fall season.
Who does it affect?
Lyme disease is seen in dogs and humans. It can occur in dogs of all ages, although young dogs appear to be more susceptible than older dogs. Dogs that are in heavily infested environments are predisposed to the disease. Lyme disease rarely affects cats.
What signs might be seen?
There are generally three phases seen with Lyme disease, each lasting for a specific period of time:
- Phase 1(acute) - Lasting an average 7-21 days
- Lack of energy
- Arthritis
- Joint swelling
- Fever
- Lameness
- Pain
- Lack of appetite
- Phase 2(subclinical) - Lasting an average 1-3 years
- No signs while the disease is progressing
- Phase 3(chronic) - Lasting an average 4+ years
- Arthritis
- Lameness
- Kidney Failure
- Heart problems
- Pain
- Anorexia
- Depression
How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
Lyme disease is diagnosed by a simple blood test that is performed in house with results available within 10 minutes.
What might you expect from your veterinarian?
During your appointment, it is very important that you mention any change you have noticed in your dog to your veterinary team. The veterinarian will perform a physical exam. A blood sample will be collected to test for Lyme disease in-house. A second blood sample will be collected and sent out to a lab to measure the level of infection if a positive result is found.
Can Lyme disease be treated?
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the level of infection and signs, additional treatment may be necessary for pain, heart problems, and kidney function. Follow-up testing is important, blood test should be done at 6 months from the initial diagnosis of the disease to ensure the proper course of treatment was followed and the level of infection has decreased.
Can Lyme disease recur?
Yes, if the level of infection is still high after the initial treatment and or if your dog gets bitten by another deer tick carrying the disease. Many preventative measures can be taken to help prevent Lyme disease:
- Use a topical repellent for ticks such as Frontline or Advantix.
- Vaccinate against Lyme disease.
- Groom your dog daily looking for ticks and remove them before they have the chance to infect your pet.
Lyme disease does affect the human race. It is not transmitted to humans from dogs. It can only be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick just as it is transmitted to your dog.
Mercersburg Veterinary Clinic, Inc
(717) 328-5171 • www.mercersburgvetclinic.com
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