We did a podcast over at Scratchings and Sniffings on Lyme disease yesterday. It's an interesting disease and I won't duplicate that post here, but Yvonne and I were wondering how insurance would factor in on the diagnosis and management of Lyme disease.

You'll recall that even in Lyme disease hot spots only about 5% of dogs that are infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi ever show clinical signs. The chief complaint in dogs that do show signs is a general malaise. They are "off their feed" or not feeling too well or just laying around. When we see them, this usually translates into a low grade fever of undetermined origin.

As you can imagine there are a great number of conditions in dogs that can cause a low grade fever.

In certain parts of the country; the Northeast, the Atlantic coastal states and even the upper Midwest, Lyme disease may rise to the top of that list. Apparently Yvonne's area of upstate New York is one such Lyme Disease hot spot. Her local veterinarian suspects Lyme disease whenever a dog with generalized symptoms like fever and anorexia comes in for an exam.

There is a blood test that many veterinarians use to diagnose Heartworm, Lyme disease and another tick born disease called Ehrlichiosis. If you live in upstate New York and your dog comes into the veterinary clinic with a low grade fever and tests positive for Lyme disease, it's possible, but not certain, that Lyme disease may be the actual cause.

The recommended method of control of Lyme disease is to control the tick infestation. It's too hard to control the wildlife vectors which include the White Footed Mouse or White Tailed Deer. There are a number of topical preparations and tick collars that are very effective. The Chief Medical officer at PurinaCare is fond of the "Preventick" collar as an effective means of keeping ticks off your dog.

There is also a vaccine for Lyme disease. This vaccine is one of the "non core" vaccinations that is recommended in only certain conditions and in only certain areas.

If you had a PurinaCare plus Preventive care policy you would be covered for Lyme disease vaccination or treatment following diagnosis under the terms and limits of the policy. If you had a PurinaCare without Preventive Care policy you would also receive coverage under the terms of that policy for diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease.