Avoiding Lyme Disease (NAPSA)—It may surprise some people to learn that your pet’s health could provide insight into yourrisk of infection. The American Lyme Disease Foundation reports that Lymedis- ease in dogs is an indicator of increased risk for infection in their owners. The group recom- mends annual testing of dogs to help keep them and their owners healthy. Lyme disease is a condition caused by the bacteria that live on the deer tick. The bacteria can spread to humans (or other hosts) when ticks bite them. Symptomsof the disease in humansinclude a “bull’s-eye-shaped” rash andflulike symptoms including headache, de SID We YA) 4 Lyme disease can betreated, especially when detected early. aches,fatigue and general malaise. Weld says the incidence of human Lyme disease is believed to be as much as 10 times greater than the number of cases reported. How- be most prevalent in the spring, but numerous variables factor in to when people and dogs are most vulnerable to the disease and how contracting the disease than are humans. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include: sore throat, stiff neck, fever, muscle Cases of Lyme disease tend to many contract it each year. “Ticks need a bit of humidity to be active,” says David Weld of the American Lyme Disease Foundation. “A couple of years ago we had a rainy summer. While that’s ideal for ticks, it kept people out of the woods and other places where ticks tend to be.” Weld says while variables makeit difficult to predict when Lymedisease outbreaks will occur, it is known that the disease affects people throughout the U.S. Perhaps even more alarming, ever, dogs are at a greater risk of e Sudden occurrence of lameness e Seeming reluctance to move or a stiff, painful gait e Warm, swollen joints e Pain in the legs and through- out the body e Fever, fatigue and loss of appetite Swollen lymph nodes If you notice these symptoms in your four-legged friend, it’s a good idea to have your dog—and yourself—screened for Lymedis- ease. For more information, visit www.lymetest.com.
