Lyme Disease Prevention Tips

​I found a tick attached to my dog yesterday and pulled it off.  Could he have Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a tiny blood parasite that is spread by infected ticks.  Not all ticks have Lyme disease, but the prevalence of Lyme infected ticks is increasing across the Midwest.  Luckily, there are very effective measures that can be taken to prevent Lyme disease in our pets.  First, use a monthly tick prevention such as Frontline or Vectra.  These products cause the ticks to die before they are able to transmit diseases.  Second, remove any attached ticks that you find on your pet immediately.  Remove them by firmly grasping the body of the tick near the head and pulling back with firm traction.  A tick must be attached for at least 24 hours to successfully transmit the Lyme parasite to a pet.  Third, vaccinate and/or test your dog for Lyme disease if recommended for your specific situation.  If you remove a tick that is attached but not engorged (filled with blood) it most likely has not been attached long enough to cause a problem.  Watch any bite areas on your pet closely for continued redness or signs of infection like swelling and discharge.  Signs of Lyme disease include fever, lethargy, joint pain, joint swelling, and lameness.