National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

• General Information

Lyme disease is zoonotic meaning that it can affect both humans and animals. Lyme’s disease is transmitted through tick bites and primarily the Deer tick. Lyme disease cannot be transmitted from one animal to another only through a tick bite. Deer ticks are found in forests or grassy, wooded, marshy areas near lakes or oceans. Lyme disease can be difficult to detect and can cause serious reoccurring health problems. A map of the reported cases of Lyme disease can be found at the website for CDC.

• Prevention

The best prevention is to avoid areas where ticks are possible. Around the house shrubbery should be cleared and keeping a well-maintained lawn is important. Once inside check for ticks. Be sure to check areas such as between toes or the pads on the feet as well as around the ears. Using reliable tick prevention such as Nexguard is recommended. You can also vaccinate your canine companion for Lyme disease. Discuss with your veterinary professional as to whether a Lyme vaccine is appropriate for your pet. Factors such as lifestyle, where you live and your pets overall health are contributing factors as to whether a Lyme’s vaccine is appropriate.

• Symptoms

There are usually no signs of Lyme disease for the first 2-5months after infection. Some signs of Lyme disease include fever, decrease in appetite, lameness, joint swelling and decreased activity. Lyme disease is diagnosed by a blood test

• Treatment

Patients that are diagnosed with Lyme disease are placed on an antibiotic for treatment.

Please feel free to contact any of our doctors at your closest location of Newberry Animal Hospital for more information!

Did your dog enjoy Canine Fitness Month?

The weather is getting warmer and your four legged best friend is ready to get outside to play. It's a great time to incorporate new activities for you and your pet to get into shape. Whether your pet is perfectly trained and plays fetch, or just likes to run around in the back yard, there's plenty of things you can do together. Gainesville has several dog friendly parks to visit and romp with other active dogs.

Long, slow walks are great for older dogs and helps them keep their muscles toned. Younger dogs might enjoy an obstacle course or a controlled run. If you have a ladder around your house, you can place that flat on the ground and have your dog walk over the rungs. This works his muscles in a controlled manner and can help with coordination.

How about playing hide and seek? You can play a more traditional hide and seek game where you hide and he comes to find you, or try hiding his favorite treat in places around the yard or park so he has to use his nose to find his treat!

Enjoy this beautiful spring weather with a run and a good, strong leash. We at Newberry Animal Hospital encourage excellent pet health by staying active, so they live a long and wonderful life!

Friday was National Dog Biscuit Day

Everyone has heard about national doughnut or taco day, but have you heard that February 23 is National Dog Biscuit Day AND International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?? Is it biscuit? Or bisquit? We found both...

It only makes sense that our four legged friends would get their own national day for their special treats. Yum. What kind of biscuits do most dogs like? Crunchy peanut butter cookies or soft pumpkin treats? No matter what your dogs preference, there are plenty of great places here in Gainesville and the surrounding areas to purchase great doggy biscuits. Earth Pets Natural Pet Market (located next door to our Holistic and Wellness Center) has some great options. They even have frosted cut-out cookies in their bakery section.

If you don't want to purchase biscuits at the grocery store, you can always make some tasty treats at home. Have you considered thinly slicing sweet potatoes and baking them for a couple hours at 250 degrees? You get a crunchy, nutritional treat you can share with your dog. A lot of dogs like cut up pieces of apple, baby carrots or even frozen green beans. If you're not sure what size of a biscuit is okay for your dog to eat, just contact your local veterinarian in Gainesville, Florida. Or, feel free to contact any Newberry Animal Hospital location.

Dogs around the world are enjoying this day by getting an extra biscuit or two, so make sure you include your dog. Or check out our https://www.newberryanimalhospital.com/pets-are-life page to find a place where he can go WITH you to pick out his own treat. Cheers to National Biscuit Day!