Protecting Dogs From Lyme Disease (NAPSA)—Caring for dogs in- volves more than just feeding and walking them. Protecting dogs from potentially debilitating Lyme disease is crucial for their health and happiness. While many people take precautions against ticks and Lyme disease for themselves, it’s not uncommon for man’s best friend to be overlooked. To educate dog owners about canine Lyme disease, Merial and the Lyme Disease Foundation have partnered to promote April as Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month. Spring is the start of tick season in most areas, but concerns about Lymedisease last all spring and summer as pets spend more time outdoors. The number of cases of Lyme disease has increased more than 50fold since 1982. Lyme disease has been found to be most common in certain areas of the United States, including the Northeastern, MidAtlantic and upper Midwest regions, plus northern California and Oregon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease has been found in humansin 49 states. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted by the deer tick. Clinical signs of the disease in canines include: shifting leg lameness, fever, swollen joints, muscle soreness, malaise, chronic Tips For Preventing Canine Lyme Disease by Merial Avoid taking your dog to wooded andtall- grass areas Check your dog forticks after coming indoors Have your dog vaccinated annually with RECOMBITEK Lyme vaccine Use a tick control product, such as FRONTLINE brand product, monthly Brush your dog regularly to make identifying ticks easier @ arthritis, facial paralysis, seizures and acute renalfailure. “Taking preventive measures against Lyme disease can spare dogs from the disease’s horrible symptoms,” says Richard Ford, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVPM (hon), College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. “In addition to regularly checking dogsfor ticks, pet owners should know how to prevent Lyme disease.” RECOMBITEK Lymevaccine protects dogs from Lyme disease and should be used in conjunction with FRONTLINE brand product. The two work together to help ensure that animals are safe from ticks and Lyme disease. Both products, made by Merial, are available from your local veterinarian. Detailed information about Lyme disease and its prevention can be found at www.LymePrevention.com. Note to Editor: Below are the references for the above editorial. Lidicker J, et al. Lyme Disease Cases in the United States Through 2012: Time Series Model Identification and Forecasts of the Federal CDC Data. World International Lyme Disease Emergency Rescue Network. May 11, 2005. Troy G. Canine Lyme Disease Still Raises Debate on Definitive Diagnosis. March 1, 2003. DVM Newsmagazine. Accessed on January 11, 2006. Available at www.dumnews.com /dum / article /articleDetail jsp ?id=49107. RECOMBITEK and FRONTLINEare registered trademarks of Merial. 2006 Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. REC-TDA-5-0010b
