Lyme season nigh; Humane Society offering vaccinations

SALT LAKE CITY — The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $15 special for Lyme vaccinations for dogs throughout the month of June.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted by deer ticks. While many dogs won't show any outward signs of illness, the most common visible symptoms of the disease are arthritis and lameness due to pain in the joints. Dogs may also experience fever, loss of appetite and loss of energy, according to the Humane Society.

The standard treatment for Lyme is four weeks of antibiotic therapy. Dogs usually respond to the treatment within three days, if the disease is caught in the earliest stages. Prevention is the best course of action to manage Lyme disease and its risks.

The Humane Society's walk-in clinic (no appointment needed) can administer the Lyme vaccination Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. On Saturdays, the clinic is open from 9 to 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit www.utahhumane.org.

— Lynn Arave