Why Your Dog Should Receive the Lyme Vaccination in Cincinnati, OH

With everything that is going on in the world today, you might not be surprised to learn that there are different points of view regarding vaccines and pets. In our Cincinnati, OH, animal hospital‘s article, you will learn why it is important to get the Lyme vaccination for your dog.

dog lyme vaccination cincinnati, oh

What Is the Lyme Vaccination?

The Lyme vaccination is a vaccine against Lyme disease. Lyme disease comes from deer ticks. The Lyme vaccine is considered a lifestyle vaccine, which means it’s one that you need if you live a certain way.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, your dog may need the Lyme vaccine. If you live where the deer tick is common, you will definitely want your dog to receive the Lyme vaccine.

Why is the Lyme Vaccination Important?

Vaccination is important because it helps your body fight off illness. If you or your dog is at risk of getting Lyme disease, then getting the vaccine is important.

While a vaccine won’t keep your dog from getting Lyme disease, it can help prevent serious or severe symptoms.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection, and can be spread to animals and humans and vice versa through blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include:

  • Lameness
  • Swollen Lymph Nodes
  • Swollen Joints
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever

If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to kidney failure. Your dog can also suffer from cardiac or neurological problems as well.

Facts About the Lyme Vaccine

In order to make a decision about the Lyme vaccine, it is important to have as many facts as possible.

  1. The Lyme vaccine prevents serious illness in 70-80% of dogs.
  2. The Lyme vaccine does not keep your dog from getting Lyme disease.
  3. The duration of your dog’s immunity can be anywhere from 6 months to a year.
  4. You will need to get a new vaccination or booster at least every year.
  5. If your dog has had Lyme disease before, they may not need the vaccine because their body already knows what to look for.
  6. Lyme disease can be prevented using tick protection.
  7. Lyme disease can be prevented by keeping your dog away from ticks.

Are There Other Options?

If you absolutely do not want to get your dog a vaccine, then you need to work really hard to protect your dog in other ways. For instance, using tick and flea protection. Your vet can recommend the best option for your dog.

As always, avoiding areas where these ticks live are the best way to protect yourself and your dog. Ticks are most likely to be found in forests, marshes, and grasslands.

Always check yourself and your dogs for ticks after going outside. If you have a yard, check your dog whenever they come back inside. You can also check the bushes and shrubs for ticks.

Removing bushes and keeping the lawn maintained can also help prevent ticks.

Reach Out to Our Cincinnati, OH, Animal Hospital to Schedule Your Dog’s Lyme Vaccine Appointment

In the end it is up to you to decide if your dog needs the Lyme vaccine. Your vet can help you make this decision.

In fact, our Cincinnati, OH, veterinarian highly recommends that dogs in our area receive the Lyme vaccination. Reach out to our animal hospital to schedule your dog’s next visit by giving us a call at (513) 531-7117.