Lyme Disease - Keeping You and Your Dog Safe in the Bush

While there's nothing better than a day out in the bush with your dog, it does come with its risks. One of these is Lyme disease. Most every bushie is familiar with this tick-transmitted disease, but what you might not be aware of is that it's on the rise. According to the Centre for Disease Control, Lyme disease is now one of the top 5 infectious diseases for North America with over 30,000 people diagnosed every year.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene identified the most high-risk areas in the United States for the disease. In these high-risk zones, 1 in every 5 ticks collected was infected with Lyme disease. This is worrying news for you and your dog. Our own Easton, the brown lab of Regional Sales Manager Josh Miller, was just diagnosed with Lyme disease a month ago. While Lyme is generally not deadly, it can cause chronic fatigue, muscle pain and discomfort. While many patients will be relieved of all symptoms after a month-long dose of antibiotics, about 20% will have recurring symptoms for a lifetime.

Easton’s illness has taken a real emotional toll on Josh and the whole SportDOG team, so we wanted to share some tips with you lot to help prevent this disease in your own dogs.

1. Get Vaccinated- Have a yarn with your vet about the Lyme disease vaccination. Depending on where you're at in the country, your vet might not reckon it's a needed step for your doggo, but it's worth a chinwag, especially if you're living in one of the high-risk areas.
2. Use Flea and Tick Medication- There's a good range of reliable options out there. Have a yarn with your vet about which treatments are the best for your doggo. When picking a flea and tick medication, ensure it's vet approved and waterproof. Be sure to read the instructions to make certain you're giving the proper dose to your dog on the correct schedule. Not following the manufacturer's directions might lead to it not working as well.
3. Brush Your Dog Often- Brushing your dog regularly removes excess hair, which can prevent ticks from wanting to bite your dog. Ticks are drawn to warm fur. Ensuring all excess hair is removed makes a cooler environment that is not as appealing to ticks.
4. Check for Ticks Daily- Researchers reckon that ticks need to feed on a host for 24-72 hours to pass on Lyme disease. Checking your dog every day could be the difference between a healthy dog and a big course of antibiotics. Make sure to check your dog thoroughly, especially around the neck, armpits and ears.

Following these guidelines can help keep your hunting mate safe from Lyme disease. It's crucial to remember, though, that there's no guaranteed method to prevent the disease. As Josh's vet said to him 'sometimes, even when you do everything right, something goes pear-shaped'. Easton was vaccinated, kept up with his regular flea/tick treatment, and was checked and groomed often. Sadly, Josh lives in an area that's a real hotspot for Lyme and things went south. Make sure you're clued up on the signs and symptoms of Lyme so you can get your dog on antibiotics as quick as you can. Getting in early is the best way to make sure your dog bounces back completely. Key symptoms to watch out for are unusual tiredness and pain in the muscles and joints.

We hope everyone enjoys happy and safe hunting. We'll keep you updated on Easton's progress, but we're confident he'll make a full recovery and be back in the field in no time.