The symptoms of Lyme disease in your dog can be subtle and vary greatly. Unlike humans, dogs do not develop the "bulls-eye" rash around the tick bite. Common symptoms include joint pain, lameness, stiffness, fever and lethargy. Fortunately, Lyme disease is treatable!

3 Key Ways to prevent Lyme disease:

1. Use tick prevention products - ask us for recommendations on what is best for your pet.
2. Vaccinate! And remember, Lyme vaccines need to be boostered yearly.
3. Decrease their exposure - avoid wooded locations or areas with tall grass. Be mindful that ticks can be found in a variety of environments, like your backyard.

How to safely remove a tick:

Make sure you check your pet for ticks after any outdoor time. If you see a tick, here are some tips to safely remove it.

• Using either tweezers or a tick removing tool, gently grasp the tick as close to your pet's skin as possible (don't squeeze too hard) and gently pull straight up. Do not twist or jerk.
• Always wear gloves and keep your eye on the area. If any redness, swelling or unusual changes appear - give us a call.

"Don'ts" when removing ticks. These "tricks" or "hacks" are false and may harm your pet.

• Burning or freezing them off.
• The use of petroleum jelly or nail polish.

If you are unsure or uncomfortable removing a tick from your pet, contact our office.

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Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdoferi. This bacterium is transmitted to animals and people through the Eastern black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick) and the Western black-legged tick. These ticks are extremely small (think sesame seed) and can easily be missed before they enlarge from feeding.

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FAQ's

• Ticks prefer to attach in moist, dark areas. So, when checking your dog for ticks make sure your check under the collar, in and around the ears, under the front legs, under the tail, the groin area and even between their toes.
• Ticks do not die after the first frost. The deer tick can remain active in their adult stage from fall to spring as long as the temperature is above freezing. The adult deer tick typically begins its feeding activity about the time of the first frost (or early October) and seeks a host any day that the temperature is above freezing.
• You cannot get Lyme disease directly from your dog. Dogs cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to people, however, dogs can carry infected ticks into your home where they have the potential to move to and infect a human host.