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TURNER – Winter is winding down and spring is in sight! With the arrival of warmer weather, comes the arrival of some pests that can spread diseases to your pets. The most common disease-spreading insects, in central Maine, are ticks and mosquitoes.
There are approximately 850 species of ticks, but the tick of interest for us is _Ixodes scapularis,_ also known as the deer tick. The deer tick is the vector for Lyme disease. The deer tick is distinguished from other ticks by its black legs, which explains why it is commonly called the black-legged tick. An infected tick typically needs to be attached to a dog for 36 to 48 hours to allow bacteria to be transmitted. Once transmitted, a dog may start showing symptoms right away or it could take months or years.
Symptoms may consist of the following: fever, shifting leg lameness, lethargy, and/or generalized pain. It is important to see your veterinarian right away if your dog has any of these symptoms. If positive for Lyme disease, there is treatment available. Tick prevention is available in multiple options, the most common being oral tablets, topical treatments, or collars.
Mosquitoes are the vector for heartworm disease, which can be deadly for dogs and cats. Heartworm disease is more prevalent in southern states; however, there has been an increase in heartworm cases in Maine. The heartworm lifecycle can take six to seven months from the time a mosquito bites to adult worms living in the heart. In the early stages of the disease, most pets don’t show any symptoms of infestation. In later stages, symptoms include: coughing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, and congestive heart failure.
We recommend an oral tablet once a month for prevention. Dogs and cats should be tested for heartworm disease prior to starting prevention. Heartworm prevention is a prescription medication. Like most diseases, the cost for prevention is vastly cheaper than the cost of treatment.
In order for you and your pet to fully enjoy the Maine outdoors this summer, it is best to be prepared. The earlier we can diagnosis your pet, the earlier we can treat the disease to ensure that your furry friend will enjoy many more summers to come.
For more information, contact Turner Veterinary Service, 273 Auburn Rd., Turner, at 207-225-2155.
