Lyme Disease Information

One of our neighbors recently had their dog diagnosed with Lyme Disease.  The dog is expected to recover, with treatment, but it is good to be on the lookout for ticks.  

An Overview of Lyme Disease in Dogs
 

Here is what one of our Trout Valley neighbors had to say:

I have been seeing an increasing number of cases of Lyme Disease each year for the past several years.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium "Borellia Burgdorferi" and is transmitted by ticks,  most commonly the black legged tick usually referred to as the deer tick.  At a recent seminar I attended, Dr. Michael Dryden DVM the leading veterinary expert in the USA on ticks and tick borne diseases stated that this increase in Lyme disease is directly related to the increase in the population of the White Tailed Deer.  If the deer are present the ticks are present and if the ticks are present Lyme disease is present.  The disease is transmitted when an infected tick takes a blood meal from its host.  It takes about 48 hours after the tick attaches to the host to pass the disease. 

Deer ticks are the smallest of the ticks found in this area so they can be very hard to find on your pet.  What's more,  the disease can also be passed by the nymph and larval stages of the tick which are even smaller, to the point of almost being invisible to the naked eye.

Fortunately there is a vaccine for Lyme disease available for dogs.  It requires 2 injections about 3 weeks apart and then 1 annual booster each year after that.  

Unfortunately, these same ticks (and others)  can carry other diseases such as Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis which can have similar symptoms as Lyme disease.  The best prevention for these diseases is to avoid contact with the ticks.  This can be accomplished with monthly topical spot on treatments such as Frontline, Advantage, etc., or monthly oral medication such as Nexgard. 

If you would like more detailed information about anything I have presented here, feel free to contact me at (847) 516-8155.  Other good articles can be found at AVMA.org or CDC.gov. 

Thanks

Pete Kennedy DVM

Wood Chipping

May 25

Summary of Open Burning of Landscape Waste Regulations

McHenry County Public Health Ordinance

Article III - Section 1.29

Effective April 1, 2008

PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES:

Burning of manure, garbage, litter, etc. on any property in McHenry County

Burning of landscape waste within 100' of a habitable structure (i.e. residence, school, etc.)

Burning of landscape waste within 50' of a non-habitable structure (i.e. detached garage, barn, etc.)

RESTRICTIONS WHEN GREATER THAN 100' FROM A HABITABLE STRUCTURE AND 50' FROM A NON-HABITABLE STRUCTURE

Only landscape waste and only on the property where the landscape waste was generated

Only during the months of April, May, October and November (weekends only)

Only between dawn and dusk

Only when the winds are less than 10 mph

Must be supervised by an individual at least 18 years of age

A fire extinguisher, garden hose, or water source must be available by the burning site.

500' EXEMPTIONS

Burning of on-site generated landscape waste 500' or greater from a habitable structure is allowed:

1. During any month of the year

2. On any day of the week

3. At any time of the day

Note:  All other prohibitions/restrictions apply.

OTHER EXEMPTIONS

Recreational fires, not larger than 3'x3'x3', and excludes leaves, grass or shrubbery clippings

Ceremonial fires (bonfires) larger than 3'x3'x3', and excludes leaves, grass or shrubbery clippings; permit required from McHenry County Department of Health

Habitat Reclamation or Firefighter

ENFORCEMENT

Any officer of the McHenry County Department of Health, law enforcement agency, fire department or fire protection district is authorized to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance.

Website

  terryparrilli@ameritech.net      847-516-6414