5 Ways You Can Protect Your Pet from Lyme Disease

USE TICK PREVENTIVES ON YOUR PETS
Summer is nearly here, and yards are already greening up with the spring rains. That means it’s time to venture into the great outdoors – you and your pet.

Unfortunately, that will put you and your cherished friends within reach of deer ticks. The pests attach themselves to people and pets and proceed to gorge on their blood.

The danger ticks present is Lyme disease, which animals and people can get from the pests.

Cats don’t seem adversely affected by it, but Lyme disease can seriously harm dogs and people.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of Tufts University, for what you can do to keep your pets and you from getting sick.

First off, a good flea and tick collar will be a good defense. Tufts recommends you buy products that carry a veterinary recommendation and are safe for all the critters in your home.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR LAWN

Keeping up with yard work is essential. Mow your lawn regularly and pull weeds whenever you see them. Get rid of any leaf litter you can find, particularly from underneath shrubs — they’re good environments for ticks, which set up shop and lie in wait And, while you’re at it, keep those overstuffed outdoor trash cans tightly covered — otherwise, they could attract rodents, which could carry ticks onto your property.

INSPECT YOUR PETS EVERY DAY

Get into the habit of performing daily tick inspections on your pets. You’ll want to feel for bumps on their fur. Part the fur so you can get a look at the underlying skin. Hot spots to watch out for are under their legs, inside their ears, and on their necks.

Also familiarize yourself with how to remove ticks.

ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN ABOUT VACCINATION

According to Tufts, dogs that have never been exposed to the Lyme disease bacterium may benefit from a vaccination. And, even if you do that, the university recommends you double up and use things like preventive tick collars as well.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOU

Finally, remember that you can be a tick victim, too. Invest in a good repellent, wear treated clothing, be sure to shower after being outside, and inspect yourself often for ticks.

Refferal: http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/5-ways-you-can-protect-your-pet-from-lyme-disease-160514.htm