Ticks and Dogs in the News: Lyme Disease and Pets

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ABC 7 News
June 20, 2006

Lyme Disease and Pets

By: Kathy Fowler

It's a disease that strikes both man and dog. And this year, doctors are concerned with how many of both are getting sick.

Tonight: Why it is crucial to know your dog's health—In order to protect your family.

Medical reporter Kathy Fowler joins us with this story.

Kathy Fowler on-set:

We're talking about Lyme disease. Doctors don't know why, but there's a huge increase in the numbers of people and dogs getting sick. If your dog has it, doctors say every person in the house, especially children, need to be checked.

Story:

Doctors say it's one of the most under-reported diseases in both humans and pets. Every single hour, eleven people get Lyme disease, and dogs like Booda can be 100 times more at risk than humans.

Tara Easton, pet owner: "I knew he wasn't feeling well. He wasn't himself. I could tell he was in a lot of pain."

Tara Easton says one day a few weeks ago, her lively Labrador was lying lifelessly, barely able to get out of bed.

Turns out he had Lyme, despite medicine to protect against it.

Dr. Leanne Kalinsky, Suburban Animal Hospital: "It's an ugly disease in both animals and dogs."

And while doing this interview at Suburban Animal Hospital, another dog came in. The pet's owner said the dog was lethargic, feverish, and with no interest in eating.

Dr. Leanne Kalinsky says if your dog tests positive, you should make a doctor's appointment for every single member of the family.

Dr Kalinsky: "If you found your dog has Lyme disease, or has tested positive for Lyme disease, you have to check yourself too, because again, if your dogs have these ticks, you could have these ticks too."

Jake's going home today with antibiotics, Booda's already been on the medication for two weeks.

Easton: "He feels great. You can't even tell there's anything wrong with him. It took maybe a day on the doxycycline and he was already starting to feel better."

Kathy Fowler on-set:

Lyme disease is treatable in both humans and pets, but often it goes undiagnosed, and that's when it can be a huge problem, even leading to death in both animals and people.

That's why it is so important to know the symptoms for people and for dogs. Veterinarians suggest you get your pets tested every year.

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