It’s Tick Time
With the warmer weather ticks are active once again. Here is what you need to know as a pet owner:
Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis
Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis are diseases that can be spread by ticks in the greater Kingston area. Dogs and humans can both contract these diseases after tick bites with the transfer of the bacteria from the tick. In our region the black legged tick (often called the deer tick) is the main tick carrying the bacteria that can cause these diseases. Ticks are not restricted to rural environments and will be found all over the city. Ticks are active once the temperature reaches 3-4 C.
Signs of Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis in your pet
Dogs with either one of these diseases may show symptoms of soreness, stiff movement, lameness, shifting lameness (a lameness that comes and goes or can be seen in a different limb), swollen joints and fever. Most infected dogs can take 4-5 months to show any symptoms. A blood test can be done to screen for Lyme disease or Anaplasmosis but only 4-5 weeks after tick bite has been documented. We call this a 4Dx test - it screens for tick borne diseases and heartworm disease. If this is positive for a tick borne disease there are follow-up tests we recommend before starting any therapy. Fortunately, antibiotics will treat both diseases.
Prevention
At Kingston Mills we strongly recommend a good preventive approach to these diseases not only to protect your pet but household members as well. Always wear protective clothing when in high risk areas. Walking on trails with your pet can reduce tick exposure to both of you. Products like Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica are a few of the oral products that will kill ticks when they bite your dog. They are safe and effective. We also recommend an annual Lyme vaccination for additional protection for your pet.
