Lyme Disease Concerns
Upswing in canine cases bad sign for humans?
A recent upswing in the number of cases of

Dr. Ronnie Schenkein has seen a drastic increase in the number of dogs carrying Lyme Disease at her Coudersport Animal Health Center. While the disease is typically associated with deer ticks (inset), family pets -- even those living in town -- can also become carriers. Lugene Heimel photo

Lyme Disease in area dogs arouses concern about the risks for humans, as well. While the disease is more commonly found in deer than in dogs, area pet owners should b e alert to the possibility of Fido also

being a carrier.

Dr. Ronnie Schenkein, a

Coudersport veterinarian, points out

that Potter, Cameron, Elk, McKean,

Clinton and Clearfield counties are now considered high-risk areas for the disease. She has witnessed the spike in local cases first-hand at her Coudersport Animal Health Center.

"Last year, there were 15 cases in Potter County," Dr. Schenkein said. "As of October this year, we're already past the 30 mark."

She added that two of this year's cases were found in dogs that lived in downtown Coudersport and had not left the area.

Overall, more than 70 dogs in the region have tested positive for Lyme Disease this year.

Diagnosing the ailment in dogs is tricky. Of those that have tested positive, Dr. Schenkein said, 85% have shown no symptoms; only 15% have been clinically ill.

Without causing undue alarm, local health officials are trying to draw public attention to the disease, as well as steps area residents can take to avoid it.

Lyme Disease, which is carried by ticks, is rarely fatal and is not contagious between humans. About 90% of cases respond well to antibiotics if treated early. Prevention and early detection are keys to minimizing cases of long term, p e r m a n e n t d e b i l i t a t i n g conditions.

Most people who are infected by a tick develop a bull's-eye red rash which slowly spreads. Other early symptoms can be fever, muscle aches, headaches, joint pain, fatigue and weakness.

If left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause more s e r i o u s effects on joints, the nervous system, brain or heart. Dr. Schenkein advises dog owners to be on the lookout for symptoms in their pets.

"Common symptoms include lameness, swelling in one or more joints, muscle tremors, lethargy, fever, heart irregularities, weakness, numbness, seizures or other neurologic abnormalities," she said. "A particularly deadly form occurs when the kidneys are affected."

Coudersport Animal Health Center has seen three dogs die from the kidney form in the past year - one each from Emporium, Austin and Coudersport.

For dogs, prevention measures include the use of a topical medication. Frontline and Advantix are two commercial preparations that have proven successful.

"We are recommending year- 'round use of these products, since ticks have been found on dogs during the winter months for the past two years," Schenkein advised. "There is also a vaccine available for dogs which, while not perfect, will greatly reduce the risk of the dog contracting the disease. There is still controversy about the value of the vaccine and it is not recommended in nonepidemic areas."

It is important to test a dog before any immunization, she added. If a dog that is already infected is vaccinated, the shot could have the opposite effect and make the animal sicker.

Daily examination of dogs for ticks is an excellent strategy, although some of them may be two millimeters or smaller and easily missed. The nymph form can be as small as the period at the end of this sentence.

For humans, prevention strategies include regular tick checks and use of personal protective measures. Ticks should be removed with a finetipped set of tweezers, pulling slowly and steadily. Do not use a lit match, nail polish or petroleum jelly - anything that irritates the tick makes it more likely to inject the organism into the bite.

Those who are in the outdoors should wear lightcolored clothing with long pants and long sleeves. Spraying DEET on clothing will ward off ticks. A tick must be attached for at least 36 hours in order to transmit the disease. Incubation period from bite to symptoms is usually seven to 14 days.

Cats are much less susceptible to Lyme Disease than dogs. Felines who are infected will likely show pain when handled. Horses with Lyme disease may show intermittent or shifting leg lameness, fever, lethargy or neurologic signs.

Ticks can travel from wooded areas into yards. A wide area of mulch along the border between woods and lawn will prevent this.