Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital
  • 3946 Hood Avenue, San Diego, California 92123

Lyme Disease

Canine Lyme Disease Vaccines in Westwood & Pompton Lakes, NJ

Dogs love to explore. While this allows them to take in fresh air, it also exposes them to ticks, which can result in canine Lyme disease. This condition can be very serious, so it’s important to vaccinate your dog against it. At Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital, we provide canine Lyme disease vaccines and other preventative care measures  in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Learn more about this vaccine and how it can help protect your pups.

Person removing tick from eye of golden retriever

What Is Canine Lyme Disease?

Like people, dogs can contract Lyme disease. This infection, also known as borreliosis, is caused by bacteria that are found within a tick’s saliva. When a tick bites a dog, it may burrow inside the dog’s skin. If an infected tick is attached to the dog for at least 24 to 48 hours, it will allow these bacteria to enter the bloodstream, passing on the infection. While dogs, humans, and other animals can contract the disease, it can’t be transmitted between them.

Ticks are very small, but the bacteria in their saliva can lead to big problems in our furry friends. Lyme disease in dogs can infect the joints, spinal cord, brain, and heart, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • High fever
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain or swelling in the joints
  • Swelling in the legs or belly
  • Lethargy or general weakness
  • Weight loss or reduced appetite
  • Increase in thirst or urination
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Unexplained limping

In some cases, dogs with strong immune systems can handle the infection without showing any of these signs. However, given that the disease can result in severe health complications, it’s critical to pay close attention and reach out to your veterinarian immediately if you notice anything wrong. Untreated canine Lyme disease could result in kidney failure, which could be fatal.

What Prevention Methods Are Available?

There are two main ways to help prevent an infection from Lyme disease. The first, as is the case with many conditions, is vaccination. At Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital, we offer a powerful and effective canine Lyme disease vaccine. This vaccine can be given to puppies once they reach 12 weeks old and should be continued every year, as long as your dog is at risk. This is crucial for those who live near wooded areas or often travel with their pet.

Aside from vaccines, certain medications can be given to your dog to help ward off ticks. Year-round use of these topical and oral products can help prevent infection and eliminate ticks that attempt to latch on.

One of the most important things a dog owner can do to prevent infection, however, is to look over their dog closely after they have entered areas with high tick populations. This allows you to find and remove ticks before they can transfer any potential infection.

How Is Canine Lyme Disease Diagnosed and Treated?

If you have noticed symptoms of Lyme disease or your dog has recently been exposed to a potentially tick-ridden environment, it’s best to have a professional examine them. Veterinarians will discuss your recent travel history, any changes in behavior that you’ve noticed, and, if Lyme disease is a possibility, run tests. These tests examine the dog’s blood, urine, or other fluids to check for any infection.

Treatment for Lyme disease in dogs typically comes in the form of antibiotics. They are usually required to be given for a period of 30 days, with symptoms often improving only 24 hours after starting the medication. For canines that are dealing with swollen joints or other forms of discomfort, veterinarians may prescribe pain medications or steroids. If the case is severe, hospitalization may be the best course of action, allowing medical professionals to provide an IV and other kidney-support treatments.

If treated quickly enough, your dog should fully recover after 30 days of antibiotics. However, delayed treatments or chronic infections may require lifelong pain management.

Trust Our Veterinary Team Today

You deserve a veterinary team that will treat your dog with the same care as you do. That’s why so many pet parents turn to Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital. Located in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, NJ, and serving the Tri-State area, we are proud to offer diagnostic, preventative, and emergency care services to help treat canine Lyme disease and a wide variety of other conditions that may affect your beloved pets.

We also have some patient resources you can examine to help you get answers regarding our team and our services. If you are interested in learning more about the canine Lyme disease vaccine or want to schedule an appointment at either of our locations, contact us today.

Service Available At:

Westwood

  • 346 Kinderkamack Rd.
    Westwood, NJ 07675
  • 201-885-5040
  • Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 10 PM

Pompton

  • 9 Cannonball Rd. Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
  • 973-835-4774
  • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 11 AM – 8 PM
    Wed, Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM
    Sunday: Closed