Lyme Disease Set for Record Year

While I’m cheering on the warmer weather of summer, the relative warmth of this past winter has given us a “bounty” we probably don’t want.  Ticks are back and more plentiful than ever, which means that Lyme disease could reach record numbers in the coming months.

In nature, balance is key and unexpected conditions can have ripple effects far beyond those expected at first glance. Specifically, the winter’s decreased snowfall means an abundance of the deer mice that host ticks – which, in turn, leads to huge numbers of the parasite. Importantly this year, more than 1/3 of these ticks are currently testing positive for Lyme disease.

This recent Wall Street Journal story provides more detail. (Click here to learn more).

As a proud pet parent, you must take precautions to protect both you and your furry family member.  First, know the symptoms of this relatively common canine disease are similar to those in humans:

Symptoms can progress to kidney failure, which can be fatal. Serious cardiac and neurological effects can also occur.

As they say, the best defense is a good offense. The Center for Disease Control lists these ways to prevent Lyme disease:

As a final comforting thought, Lyme disease can’t be transmitted from one pet to another, nor from pets to humans, except through tick bites. My final advice is: stay alert, use precautions and enjoy your summer wisely!