Protecting Your Cat or Dog From Lyme Disease

If you live in or near White Marsh, MD, and are in need of a full-service veterinarian to supply your flea and tick prevention, you can rely on White Marsh Animal Hospital to provide all the services you and your pet require.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, Borrelia burgdorferi, that is passed to pets from deer ticks. It is named after Lyme, CT, where it was first discovered in 1975. Keeping your dogs from getting Lyme disease is a serious concern. While cats can become infected with the bacteria, they have never been seen with the disease outside of a laboratory.

How to Prevent Lyme Disease

The best way to make sure your pet doesn't get Lyme disease is to not allow them outdoors. Since that is not a practical solution, you need to do some other preventative things. The first thing is just common sense, keep the grass and bushes where you walk your dog trimmed back. When you bring your pet back in from the outdoors, give them a once over with your hands or a brush to discover any ticks.

Your veterinarian has some other options that can be a big help with preventing your pets from suffering from fleas and ticks. A vaccine is available for dogs that offers a reasonable amount of protection. It should be a part of their yearly routine if they live in an area where they are at risk. Lyme disease is a greater danger to your pets if you live in New England and New York State, on the West Coast, or in the upper Midwest.

Using oral flea and tick prevention, applied protection, or collars can help to keep the fleas and ticks away. Talk to your vet for recommendations for your pet.

Veterinarian in White Marsh, MD

For flea and tick prevention, you can count on White Marsh Animal Hospital to discuss all the options with you. Contact our office today at (410) 335-8400 for an appointment.