Once dosed with antibiotics, the transformation from a pain-addled, lethargic dog to rambunctious mutt can occur overnight. Left untreated, though, Lyme disease will eventually affect kidney function. In some cases, the dog will show none of the obvious external physical symptoms, like a sore paw or sudden weight loss. Inside the body, however, the kidneys are under attack, suffering irreparable damage (a condition called nephritis). Unable to process wastes, the dog is slowly poisoned. Weight loss, fever, and stiffness in the joints are all also common symptoms of Lyme disease.

Tall grass and brushy areas usually have the highest concentrations of deer ticks. These places also have another fitting adjective: birdy. Your odds of finding a tiny deer tick in 15 square feet of dog hide are about as good as a Pug winning a retriever trial, so if you live in a part of the country where deer ticks are prevalent and your dog spends time outdoors, get the vaccination. Deer ticks are more active in spring and fall, so even those hunting dogs that spend 10 months or more inside the house or kennel need the Lyme vaccination.

Flea and tick collars, dermal treatments like Frontline®, and frequent inspections around tick-nirvana--your dog’s ears, neck, and armpits--all further reduce your dog’s chances of contracting Lyme and other tick-related diseases.

Cyanobacteria
A few years back, a rash of sudden hunting dog deaths during the opening days of the South Dakota pheasant season broke dozens of hunters’ hearts. The early season was hot and dry, and the deaths were originally blamed on dehydration and heat stroke. Later on, however, it was determined that at least some of these dogs died from cyanobacteria poisoning.

In late summer and early fall, cyanobacteria--also called blue-green algae or pond scum--will often bloom in freshwater and, to a lesser degree, estuarine or marine waters. This is prime training time, and also coincides with early teal and upland bird hunting seasons. If your dog drinks water containing cyanobacteria, or even ingests some while grooming its coat after a swim, the results can be disastrous. In several cases, dogs have died within 15 minutes of exposure.

Cyanobacteria thrive in warm, nutrient-rich, relatively stagnant water, so before you start dropping bluewings into that pothole, take a close look at the water. Foams, scum, or mats on the water are all indications of blooms. While not all blooms are toxic, it’s best to not take a chance; the by-products produced by cyanobacteria metabolism are some of the most poisonous natural compounds on earth, easily capable of killing thousand-pound cattle. The symptoms can vary depending on the animal and type of bloom, but vomiting, convulsions, and skin lesions are all typical signs of exposure. An immediate trip to the veterinarian is essential to prevent serious damage to the nervous and digestive systems.

If you hunt or train near water that could contain cyanobacteria, bring along plenty of clean water for drinking. Wash your dog’s coat to remove residual scum after swims, and don’t make him retrieve dummies in scummy water--the dog’s open mouth will act like a funnel, channeling toxic water directly into its stomach.

Bottom line: Dogs are tough and brave critters, capable of enduring high levels of pain and stress. Once they start showing signs of an illness, odds are good that the disease has progressed to a point where a vet needs to take a look. Don’t hesitate; after all, we are our dog’s keeper, his advocate and guardian, the one who knows the dog better than he knows himself.

We have to speak for our dogs, because they sure aren’t going to tell us when they feel a little funky. It might require a little time and money, but they’re worth it.