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Testing Can
Identify Lyme Disease, a Big Threat to Dogs
Adult female, adult male and engorged female deer tick, the
tick species responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.
(ARA) - Many Americans doggedly combat ticks carrying bacteria
that cause Lyme disease in dogs. As the fastest growing tick-transmitted
disease in the United States, Lyme disease may threaten the
health of 10 times as many dogs as it does humans. Fortunately,
a new diagnostic test for canines can help.
"According to experts with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), more than 16,000 cases of Lyme disease in
people were reported during both 1998 and 1999 -- and CDC experts
believe the disease is under-reported," says Jan K. Strother,
DVM. "Studies conducted in Connecticut and Maryland found an
estimated seven to 12 unreported cases for each reported case.
Unfortunately, dogs are at much greater risk for Lyme disease
than are people
living in the same area." Lyme disease has been reported in
every state except Alaska. Veterinarians recommend testing dogs
for the condition in every state that has ticks.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium found in certain species
of ticks. The disease is transmitted when an infected tick bites
a dog, person or other mammal. If not removed quickly, the tick
feeds for as long as four days. Ticks must be attached for at
least 24 hours before the bacterium is transmitted. "In many
areas of the country, people and their pets are at moderate
to high risk of exposure from April to November," Strother states.
"Ticks are most active at this time when people and their pets
are spending more time enjoying outdoor activities. A number
of factors have contributed to increased risk of Lyme disease,"
she continues. "These include a large tick population, resulting
from an exponential increase in the U.S. deer population; increased
recreation; extended forest cover; reduced hunting in some areas;
and continued suburban sprawl. Suburban living has brought more
dogs into areas frequented by ticks and the animals that serve
as hosts or reservoirs of disease."
Signs
The most common signs of Lyme disease in dogs are recurrent
arthritis and lameness that lasts for only three to four days,
sometimes with a loss of appetite and depression. Dog owners
should be aware of these warning signs: Sudden occurrence of
lameness, reluctance to move or a stiff, painful gait; warm,
swollen joints; pain in the legs or throughout the body; fever;
fatigue; loss of appetite; and swollen lymph nodes. The signs
may come and go, vary in intensity and can mimic many other
conditions. If Lyme disease is suspected, contact a veterinarian
as soon as possible to have the dog tested.
New Test Available
Veterinarians can perform a simple blood test that screens dogs
simultaneously for heartworm disease, Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis,
another rapidly emerging tick-transmitted disease. The new in-clinic
diagnostic test, Snap 3Dx, manufactured by IDEXX Laboratories,
Inc., takes only eight minutes. "Most veterinarians recommend
testing for Lyme disease in the spring and fall, whether or
not a tick has been found on your dog," Strother says. "Knowing
if your
best friend has been exposed to Lyme disease provides peace
of mind. A dog with a positive test result may not develop the
disease, but you and your veterinarian will know to watch for
possible signs. That knowledge is really the greatest benefit
of the new in-clinic test."
Strother encourages dog owners to ask their veterinarians about
having their dogs tested for Lyme disease. If you don't test,
you don't know. Also, you can find out more about ticks and
Lyme Disease at www.lymetest.com.
The CDC reports human Lyme disease is most prevalent in: New
York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Delaware, California and
Virginia.
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
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