Lyme Disease is here in Central Kentucky!!
We at Wilderness Trace Vet Clinic hope that you and your families are enjoying the start to a beautiful spring and have lots of fun things planned! Knowing that typically more time is spent outdoors during the spring and summer months, we feel it is important to inform you of the current status of LYME DISEASE here in Kentucky.
Until recently, Lyme Disease has not been a big issue for us here in Kentucky mainly because the Black Legged Tick was not common. Historically, Lyme Disease was most prevalent in the Northeastern States and the Upper Midwest. In 2011, the Companion Animal Parasite Council reported 1 out of 80 dogs tested in Kentucky were positive for Lyme Disease. The number increased in 2012 to 1 out of 70 dogs. We have also seen an increase in the number of cases diagnosed in Boyle County. Last year 1 out 9 dogs tested were positive for Lyme Disease in Boyle County. Therefore, we believe that the increasing risk for your dog contracting Lyme Disease in Kentucky does exist.
Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. It is caused by a spirochete (bacteria) species of the Borrelia burgdorferi group. The tick that transmits this disease is known as the Black Legged Tick or commonly referred to as the Deer Tick. Once infected, your dog may or may not show signs and symptoms of the disease. It may take many months for symptoms to appear. Common symptoms include: fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, swollen joints, inflamed lymph nodes, and lameness. More serious complications include damage to the kidney and rarely heart and/or nervous system.
Fortunately, if we diagnose the Lyme Disease early on, we can treat for it with antibiotics. However, we believe that PREVENTION (combination of tick preventatives and vaccination) is the key. We have many convenient an safe products to protect our pets from ticks. In addition, we are fortunate to have a VACCINE against Lyme Disease. This is an annual vaccination following an initial series of two vaccines 3-4 weeks apart.
Because we believe this is important for your dog’s health, for a limited time, we are offering to provide a FREE LYME BOOSTER to your dog. If your dog has never received a Lyme Vaccine, then you are eligible for this $25 savings value. You will need to call us to schedule an appointment for your dog to receive their Initial Lyme Vaccine at the cost of $25.00 between April 1st and June 30th. Three weeks from your dog’s Initial Lyme Vaccine your dog will receive the FREE LYME BOOSTER. The earlier we can vaccinate your dog the sooner we can protect against Lyme Disease.
Sincerely,
Wilderness Trace Vet Clinic