Animal rescue shares how to prevent your dog from getting Lyme disease

With the warmer weather comes ticks, and with ticks, comes the risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Janelle Dawson with Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue (SAAR) says dog owners should be worried about ticks because Lyme disease is a very real issue in Southeast Manitoba.

“We get dogs that come into rescue all the time that test positive for Lyme disease, as well as heartworm.” 

Dawson says the best way to combat both Lyme disease and heartworm is to get preventative medicine from your vet. 

She notes treatment for heartworm is very extensive, so it’s best to prevent your dog from contracting it in the first place. 

“It is pretty hard to put a dog through treatment for heartworm, it's an aggressive treatment.” 

Dawson says after your dog takes the pill for Lyme disease, when ticks latch on, they fall off right away.  

“It's just so much easier to have an indoor pet when they're not bringing live ticks into your home,” she says. “Because at the end of the day, humans can get it as well. So if your dogs have a preventative, then it also helps with making sure that the people in your home are safe as well.”  

She says preventative medicine is good for the health of your dog and your family, but is also good for your wallet. 

“It can save you so much money in the long run if your dog was diagnosed with heartworm or Lyme disease.”  

Dawson notes that deer ticks are extremely small. 

“So even if you think your dog hasn't been exposed, there's a good chance you just can't see them.” 

She says ticks start to come out around any temperature above 4 degrees, and they don’t go away until fall. 

“So the best thing I recommend is to go your vet and get the prescription for the ticks, and that's your best way to prevent any Lyme disease.” 

Dawson says it would be a good idea for dog owners to start treating their pets now. 

“You want to start that right before it starts to warm up outside. So I gave my dog the tick (medicine) on April 1st already, and I will do it basically until it freezes outside.” 

She stresses the best thing to do is book an appointment with your vet and get them in as soon as possible to get the preventative medication.