Lyme Disease Treatment in Sullivan County
Keeping a dog or cat healthy requires the proper care and management of his or her well-being. A key concern that may arise when your pet spends time outdoors and in a forested area is Lyme Disease. Depending on the risks to your pet, our veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County may suggest preventative care or treatments for the condition.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease refers to a condition in dogs or cats that impacts your pet's appetite, physical health and emotional well-being. It only causes symptoms in a small number of dogs after exposure to the condition; however, the sickness can cause severe health concerns.
At the Animal Hospital of Sullivan, we help limit the risk of the condition by providing proper preventative measures for at-risk pets. Our veterinarian may suggest treatment if your pet has recurring lameness due to inflammation caused by the condition or seems to lack interest in eating meals or shows up positive for the first time. We also recommend treatment if your pet shows signs of depression. Some dogs may also develop kidney disease and need treatment to address concerns with his/her kidneys.
Cause of the Condition
The cause of Lyme Disease in any pet is a type of tick. The parasite bites into your pet and digs in, burying it's head into your pet's body. When you remove the tick, the head may get stuck in a pet's body or the body of the tick may break, increasing the risk of Lyme Disease. Even a bite from a deer tick may cause the condition in certain situations. Our Animal Hospital of Sullivan County veterinarian may recommend taking preventative measures if your pet has a risk of exposure to certain ticks.
Preventative Care at the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County
Preventative care from our Animal Hospital of Sullivan County veterinarian depends on the situation. Generally, we recommend vaccines to limit the risk when a pet has a possibility of exposure to the parasite. A yearly Lyme Disease vaccination allows your pet to avoid the condition by immunizing your pet against the disease. We also recommend checking your pet thoroughly for any signs of a tick when you leave a forested area or your pet was exposed to a forested area.
If you do find a tick in your pet, then use tweezers to carefully pull the tick out and away from your pet. Hold the parasite firmly, but do not squeeze hard enough to kill it. Pull firmly, but do not twist the tick. Twisting the tick may cause the head to break off inside your pet's body. If you have concerns about the process, then discuss your concerns with our veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County to remove the tick.
Contact Your Animal Hospital of Sullivan County Veterinarian Today
Keeping your pets healthy starts with proper vaccines and treatments. At the Animal Hospital of Sullivan our veterinarian provides preventative solutions to avoid certain diseases. To learn more about keeping your pet healthy with proper vaccinations and preventative care, call (845) 292-6711 to set up an appointment today.
