Tick season is in full swing in the Northeast, and with those pesky parasites come a host of tick-borne illnesses that can threaten the life of you and your pet. Ticks are especially prevalent this year in the due to the long, snowy winter. In an interview with Yahoo Health, entomologist Bennett Jordan, PhD explained that the snow acts as a blanket over the insects, insulating them from cold weather that would otherwise wipe them out.
Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Lyme Disease – very high risk in our area
Symptoms in dogs: fever, lameness, swelling in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, loss of appetite.
2. Ehrlichiosis* – medium risk in our area
Symptoms in dogs: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, lameness, rash
3. Anaplasmosis* – moderate risk in our area
Symptoms in dogs: lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite
Please call a veterinarian or staff member at Gardner Animal Care Center if you would like more information about these diseases or to learn about effective treatment methods. We carry a selection of highly effective flea and tick preventatives for your pet.
*Although Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis have been reported in cats, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations.