Should i vaccinate my dog for lyme disease

If your veterinarian does not carry this vaccine, they may be able to obtain it for you or direct you to another clinic where you can receive it.

There are several different Lyme vaccines available, each made by different manufacturers. While these vaccines all differ slightly, each carries small amounts of the outer surface proteins found on Lyme bacteria. Some vaccines contain entire killed bacteria including their outer surface proteins , while other vaccines contain only lab-created outer surface proteins.

When a dog receives a Lyme vaccine, the immune system develops antibodies against the outer surface proteins found in the vaccines. This reaction kills the bacteria, preventing infection. One interesting characteristic of Lyme vaccines is that, in many cases, the vaccine acts within the tick instead of within the dog. Borrelia burgdorferi lives within the gut of an infected tick and is introduced to a dog via a tick bite. This blood contains antibodies against B.

An initial Lyme vaccine can be given as early as weeks of age depending on the manufacturer. After the initial vaccine, a booster vaccine must be given weeks later. The dog is considered to be protected against Lyme disease four weeks after receiving the second Lyme vaccination. If your dog is significantly overdue for its annual booster, your veterinarian may recommend restarting the initial two-vaccine series.

Vaccinations trigger a response from the immune system. Therefore, mild side effects are normal and expected. Expected effects may include a mild fever, lethargy, soreness at the site of the vaccine, and decreased appetite. Occasionally, more serious reactions occur. Although severe vaccine reactions are rare, they require quick action.

Initially, the vaccine is given as a series of two boosters i. Some veterinarians recommend boostering this series six months later, followed by another booster in six months, then once yearly after that. Other veterinarians recommend vaccinating yearly after the initial two booster series.

Tick control is an essential part of preventing Lyme disease, even in vaccinated pets. Consider also treating your yard if a heavy tick infestation is present. Symptoms of Lyme disease, which can take two to five months to develop after a tick bite, can include: Fever Enlarged lymph nodes Trouble walking Swollen joints While treatment is available, some dogs do not respond to treatment.

Borrelia vaccines are available for dogs: Adjuvant form Recombinant form Both work to prevent transmission of Borrelia bacteria from the tick to the dog during a tick bite. Does my dog need a Lyme disease vaccine? How often is Lyme disease vaccine needed? What can I do to prevent Lyme disease in my dog?

With a disease, he said vets ask the following questions: "How serious is this illness? How challenging and expensive it is to treat?

And is the vaccine going to make a big difference or are we really just doing it for peace of mind? Tick prevention measures include topical creams, tick collars, and medication taken every three months called Bravecto. You want something that will protect them. Ticks are tiny arachnids that can spread Lyme disease through bites. They're often found in long grass near wooded areas.