Lyme Disease Awareness: Protecting Your Pets from Tiny Threats

Lyme Disease Awareness: Protecting Your Pets from Tiny Threats

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month—and at J-B Pet Supplies, we want to make sure pet parents are fully equipped to protect their dogs (and cats!) from this sneaky and dangerous illness. Ticks may be tiny, but the damage they cause can be serious. The good news? With a little knowledge and preparation, you can drastically lower your pet’s risk.

Here’s everything you need to know about Lyme disease, how it affects pets, and how to keep your furry family members safe.

🦠 What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (also known as a deer tick). It can affect dogs, cats (though much less commonly), and even humans.

Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can spread to the joints, kidneys, heart, and nervous system, leading to serious health problems if left untreated.

🐾 How Do Pets Get Lyme Disease?

Pets contract Lyme disease when they are bitten by an infected tick. Ticks are typically found:

🌲 In wooded areas
🍂 In tall grass and brush
🏡 Even in suburban backyards

Ticks are most active in the spring, summer, and fall—but in milder winters, they can stay active year-round. And remember: it usually takes 24–48 hours of attachment for the bacteria to transfer, so early detection is key!

🛡️ How Can Lyme Disease Be Prevented?

Prevention is the best weapon against Lyme disease! Here’s how to help protect your pet:

✔️ Use Vet-Recommended Flea and Tick Preventatives — Available as topical treatments, chewable tablets, and collars. (We carry great natural repellents at J-B Pet Supplies too!)

✔️ Do Tick Checks After Every Outdoor Adventure — Carefully inspect your pet’s fur, focusing on hidden areas like between the toes, behind the ears, under the collar, and around the tail.

✔️ Keep Grass and Shrubbery Trimmed — Maintain your yard to make it less inviting for ticks.

✔️ Ask Your Vet About a Lyme Disease Vaccine — In high-risk areas (like New Jersey!), some vets recommend vaccinating dogs against Lyme disease.

🪲 What Should I Do If I Find a Tick on My Pet?

Don't panic—quick and careful removal is key!

Here’s how to safely remove a tick:

1. Grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover tool (available at J-B Pet Supplies!).
   
   

2. Grasp the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible.
   
   

3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain in the skin.
   
   

4. Once removed, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or pet-safe antiseptic.
   
   

5. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet—never crush it with your fingers!
   
   

💡 Pro Tip: Save the tick in a small container if you want to have it tested for Lyme disease later.

👀 What Signs Should I Watch For?

Not all pets show symptoms right away—it can take weeks to months after a bite for signs of Lyme disease to appear. Watch for:

🐾 Lameness that shifts from leg to leg
🐾 Stiffness, discomfort, or difficulty getting up
🐾 Swollen joints
🐾 Lethargy or loss of appetite
🐾 Fever
🐾 Swollen lymph nodes

In severe cases, Lyme disease can lead to kidney damage, which can be life-threatening. This is why early detection is so important!

💊 How Is Lyme Disease Treated?

If your pet is diagnosed with Lyme disease, your vet will typically prescribe a course of antibiotics, usually lasting about 4 weeks. Many pets recover well with early treatment—but some may continue to experience long-term joint pain or complications, especially if the disease was caught late.

The key to a good outcome:
🐕 Early diagnosis
🐕 Following the full course of medication
🐕 Continuing regular tick prevention

🏪 Stay Protected with Help from J-B Pet Supplies

Protecting your pet from Lyme disease starts with the right tools!
At J-B Pet Supplies, we carry natural tick repellents, tick-removal tools, flea and tick collars, and all the essentials you need to keep your dog safe during outdoor adventures.

📍 Visit us in Oakland or Hawthorne, or browse our online shop at www.jbpet.com—because your best friend's safety is always worth the extra step. 🐾❤️