Lyme disease is a medical condition caused by an organism, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by deer ticks. It is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in North America.  Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, affecting both humans and animals. Here are some important fact you should know about Lyme Disease

•    Lyme disease does not come from deer; it is transmitted by the “deer tick”. But the deer plays a role as the preferred host of the tick. The organism that causes Lyme disease actually lives in small rodents, including mice. When ticks feed on these animals, they can get the organisms and become infected carriers. The organism is transmitted to a person or dog, when the infected tick feeds on them.

•    As the tick attaches itself to the host and begins feeding on the animal’s or person’s blood, it will take at least 36-48 hours for the organism to be introduced into the body of the host and cause infection.  So, it’s a good idea to develop the habit of checking yourself and your pet carefully for ticks after spending time outdoors.

You can also ask your Livonia, MI veterinarian for a good tick preventative that can be used safely and effectively to protect your dog against ticks. Visit http://farmingtonveterinary.com/ for more information.