Signs of Lyme disease

• Stiff walk with an arched back
• Sensitivity to touch
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever, lack of appetite, and depression
• Superficial lymph nodes close to the site of the infecting tick bite may be swollen

Who are the victims of Lyme disease?

It is one of the most common vector-borne (insect/arthropod transmitted) disease in people and dogs. Dogs are frequent victims but cats, cows, and horses can also be affected.

It was first identified in 1975 when a rare case of Rheumatic Arthritis in children was reported in Lyme, Connecticut, hence, its name. By 1982, it was discovered that this disease was caused by a bacterium called Borrelia Burgdorferi. Since then, the disease has been reported in humans and animals all over the US and other parts of the world.

In what states is Lyme disease found?

Most of the cases have been predominantly reported in areas of the Pacific coast and in the Midwest and Atlantic coast states. But looking at the maps, it's all over the country. What used to be a Northeast and Midwest Phenomenon has left no state uninfected with Lyme disease. All this because of the increase of mice and deers that transmit ticks from place to place where mice are the main source of Lyme.

Where do Deer ticks hide?

Most ticks are often found in the woods but that does not mean it can't be found in the City. Ticks are in fact very sensitive to dehydration. This means they often hide in shady areas. Adult ticks are mostly found on tips of knee-high branches or shrubs questing for larger hosts. Nymphs, on the other hand, are usually found in moist leaf litter in wooded areas looking for smaller mammals like mice but may prey on cats, dogs, and humans. Often found in high grasses and bush, it just means maintaining a well-cut lawn can lessen the chance of housing ticks in your home. In dogs, they are often found hiding on their necks, ears, and other places where they're harder to spot, like in between the toes.

When do Deer ticks strike?

Ticks are active anytime the temperature is higher than 45 ?F. High risk of infection is around late spring and summer. The disease is mostly spread by nymphs and adult ticks whenever they feed on its host. Ticks often have different hosts every time it undergoes a blood meal in different life stages.

Tracing the source

Ticks can't jump and must wait for their host to pass by before climbing on. It will then take them 10 mins to 2 hours looking for a place to bite before feeding on its host. It will stay for several days before the tick drops off. Ticks must be attached 36-48 hours before the Lyme disease can be transmitted. Note that not all ticks carry Lyme disease.

Mice are often the source of Lyme disease and the Lyme bacteria will thus be transmitted after ticks feed on infected mice.

Ticks sneaky tricks

Ticks are apparently a very smart insect. They would secrete a small amount of saliva with anesthetics so it's difficult to sense when they attach themselves to their hosts. They have several methods to stay attached to their hosts as long as they can. They may have a barbed tube or secrete a cement-like substance.

Take Caution

• Avoid tick-infested areas especially in spring
• Check for ticks regularly and remove by hand using tweezers or use tools like a tick twister to completely remove ticks from pets without leaving tick mouthparts
• Check pets before they enter your home
• For extra protection, bathe with flea and tick shampoo and let them wear a flea and tick collar
• Create a barrier of wood chips or pebbles in your yard (If living in a wooded area)
• Consult a vet for Lyme vaccination (for endemic areas only)

Outdoors

• Wear light clothing and tuck pants in socks
• Brush off any ticks on clothing or skin before skin attachment occurs
• Check clothes or skin every 2-3 hours for ticks
• Keep pets in a year-round flea and tick prevention