Tick-borne illnesses are increasingly becoming a concern throughout the United States. These diseases threaten the well-being of household pets and present health risks to humans. Transmission of tick-borne diseases occurs when these parasites latch onto animals, such as dogs, feed on their blood, and consequently transmit infections.
Among the various tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease is particularly prevalent across the USA in recent years. This ailment affects both dogs and their human companions, with severe cases impacting vital organs like the kidneys, leading to significant health complications.
However, there's a ray of hope amidst these concerns. Preventing Lyme disease is indeed possible. Nexgard, an antiparasitic developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, has been approved as a preventive measure against Lyme disease infections.
In this article, we delve into essential information about Lyme disease and the pivotal role of Nexgard in safeguarding dogs from this bacterial infection. Keep reading to gain insights into this critical topic.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease, a vector-borne illness, threatens dogs of all breeds and ages. Its name derives from Lyme, a Connecticut town where the initial outbreak was observed. The disease is attributed to Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, transmitted through the bite of tick which is infected, predominantly the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. Once these bacteria enter a dog's bloodstream, they disperse throughout the body, often targeting the kidneys and joints.
Alarmingly, only a small percentage, approximately 6-10%, of dogs manifest typical symptoms of Lyme disease upon infection. Consequently, most infected dogs remain asymptomatic, making early detection challenging.
Given the silent nature of the disease, prevention becomes paramount. A proactive approach involves:
- Administering Nexgard.
- A monthly, year-round treatment.
- Effectively shielding dogs from Lyme disease.
Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Symptoms of Lyme disease may vary. Some dogs will not have any symptoms, while others may show severe signs like
- Fever
- Painful, Swollen Joints
- Loss of Appetite
- Lameness
- Lethargy
- Kidney Failure
- Bruising or Unexplained Bleeding
Above all, symptoms are common in Lyme disease and can range in severity. If not treated, Lyme disease can damage the heart, Kidney, and nervous system.
Lyme disease mainly affects the Kidney more than the heart or nervous system. Unfortunately, it is often fatal.
Diagnosing Lyme Disease in Dogs
You have to provide the history of the dog's health to your vet to understand whether the dog is being affected.
Please remember that tests can take 4-6 weeks to show a positive result after exposure. That is the reason that vet will use a combination of diagnostics to diagnose your dog:
- Complete blood cell count
- Fecal Examination
- Blood Chemistry Tests
- X-rays and tests specific to diagnosing Lyme disease. For Eg – Serology
- Urinalysis
- Fluid from the affected joints may also be drawn for analysis
Treatment for Lyme Disease in Dogs
Veterinarians will treat your dog with Lyme disease with a combination of medical therapy & supportive care. There will be 4-6 weeks of antibiotics with clinical signs of Lyme disease. Antibiotics will also be needed if any dog is asymptomatic. Some pet owners will see improvement in a few weeks. However, a second round of antibiotics may be required, as the infection may persist through the first round of treatment. Rechecking blood work is necessary after six months of antibiotics to confirm successful treatment.
Lyme disease and Nexgard
While antibiotics and supportive medications can aid in eradicating Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, they do not halt the progression of Lyme disease. To curb the transmission of this illness, it is imperative to target the primary vector, the black-legged tick.
Nexgard Chewable is a potent antiparasitic solution specifically designed to exterminate black-legged ticks. Consequently, experts highly endorse it for its efficacy in preventing Lyme disease.
Nexgard – Mode Of Action Against Black-Legged Ticks
Nexgard targets black-legged ticks through its active ingredient, afoxolaner, which belongs to the isoxazoline class of compounds. Afoxolaner's mechanism involves impeding neurotransmission within the cell membranes of these ticks. This disruption leads to hyperexcitation in the parasites, ultimately triggering uncontrolled activity in their central nervous system. Consequently, this action culminates in the demise of the black-legged ticks, thus eliminating the disease-transmitting agents effectively.
Nexgard: Prevents Lyme disease.
Nexgard effectively eliminates infected black-legged ticks before they can transmit the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria responsible for Lyme disease to dogs.
This oral chewable formula stands out as one of the swiftest-acting treatments available. Within just four hours of administration, Nexgard begins its action. Its exceptional efficacy is demonstrated by its ability to achieve over 90% effectiveness against black-legged ticks, the primary carriers of Lyme disease in dogs.
Furthermore, Nexgard's efficacy extends to preventing Lyme disease infections even after dogs have been exposed to black-legged ticks, as evidenced by studies showing its effectiveness 28 days post-treatment.
Why Need to Protect Dogs From Ticks
Various reasons may lead dog owners to limit preventive treatments for disease-causing parasites. Some believe their dogs are only at risk during specific months, certain breeds are less susceptible, or their dogs don't venture out much to catch infections. However, it's crucial to reevaluate and prioritize the year-round protection of all dogs.
Here are compelling reasons to consider using an effective preventive antiparasitic like Nexgard to safeguard dogs from Lyme disease.
Conclusion
Lyme disease poses a significant threat to dogs, with potentially severe health implications if left untreated. However, we can effectively shield our canine companions from this prevalent tick-borne illness by implementing timely care and preventive strategies. Nexgard emerges as a valuable ally in the fight against Lyme disease, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being and health of our beloved dogs.
