Vets tracking Lyme Disease longer than health officials

Veterinarians have been tracking ticks that could lead to Lyme Disease longer thanpublic health unitsand family doctors, according to one Ottawa veterinarian, but the disease is more dangerous to humans than animals.

The total number of ticks is growing, mostly in areas of southeastern Ontario, as the burrowing bugs nestle their way into the fur of dogs, according to veterinarian Jane Gates, who also co-owns Fisher Glen Animal Hospital in Ottawa.

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Gates says veterinarians have been studying and tracking Lyme Disease since the late 1990s as ticks were removed from dogs and sent in for testing.

But public health units have only recently studied humans for Lyme Disease, something thats received criticism from people like Myrna LeeDecou.

Decous daughter suffers from Lyme Disease, but the research in Canada is limited, according to the Ottawa mother.

The people who are keeping the statistics are vets, said Decou. If you want to know how many ticks have bitten dogs and have Lyme Disease, in the Ottawa Valley you can find it (vets have) much, much better ideas than our public health units.

The disease was first recognized in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut, but almost four decades later its had made a slow and steady march upwards, according to Gates.

Humans in more danger than animals

She said humans are more likely to get sick from ticks than animals, so she often warns the owner when she finds one.

When Im doing the screening test I say, Im doing this as much for you as I am for your dog because your dogs not that likely to get sick, Gates said.

But if your dog is positive that means youre walking in tick-positive areas and you need to be aware of that for yourself.

Gates also said an Ottawa lab is collecting tick and Lyme Disease statistics to help map the spread. Ottawa Public Health officials are also testing ticks as it reported the highest number of local cases ever in 2013, with 47.

On Thursday, a private members bill from Green Party leader Elizabeth May arrives on the floor of a House of Commons committee. It calls for a national strategy to tackle the chronic condition of Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease prevention measures

• Watch for ticks from early spring to late fall every year.
• Avoid tick habitats such as tall grass, bushes and woods. Stay in the middle of trails, if possible.
• Do a tick check at the end of every day spent outdoors. Carefully inspect yourself for any ticks, starting at your ankles and moving up. Take special care around your knees, armpits and head.
• Blacklegged ticks are very small, particularly during the nymph stage, so look carefully.
• Check children and pets as well.
• Wear light-colored clothing, because it is easier to see and remove ticks
• Wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
• Wear closed footwear and socks
• Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use an insect repellent that has "DEET". Always read and follow label directions.

(Source:Ottawa Public Health)

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