Yes! Ticks are becoming more prevalent in areas that they once did not inhabit. Prevention is key to eliminating tick bites and transmission of tick-borne disease. There are many types of prevention on the market. We recommend discussing the best options for your pet with your primary care veterinarian and making sure you keep your pets up to date on their prevention.
Have you ever had a tick crawling on your skin or on your dog once you get home from camping or a walk in the woods? Your indoor pets are also susceptible to tick bites, and therefore it is important to keep them protected as well. Cats can also have negative consequences from tick borne disease, although not as commonly documented.
There are different types of ticks that transmit various types of diseases with multiple potential symptoms. Lyme disease, probably the most well-known to the public, is spread by deer ticks and can cause various symptoms in dogs including shifting leg lameness, swollen joints, fever, lethargy, and in some cases kidney dysfunction.
It can take several weeks to months to see the side effects of a tick bite and to determine if there has been any transmission of tick-borne disease via blood testing. It will be important to have a tick screen performed yearly with your primary care veterinarian to detect disease early and treat early to prevent more severe symptoms.