If you suspect your animal has been in contact with ticks, contact your veterinarian for assistance.
- Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs: Initially you’ll see a large round red rash around the bite area. Infections of the skin, joints, muscles, heart, and nervous system can follow unless treated.
- Humans contract Lyme disease the same way animals do—by getting bitten from an infected tick.
- Not all animals or people who have been bitten by a tick will contract Lyme disease. It is thought to take 36-48 hours before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted, so getting a tick removed as quickly as possible is very important.
- Incidence: Ticks are typically found from April through October in Alberta.
- If you find a tick on your pet, yourself, someone else, or anywhere outside, Alberta Health asks you to submit it for testing as part of a tick surveillance program. You can just bring it into our clinic and we will submit it for you. The directions given for safely removing a tick are for both animals and humans and are available by clicking “More Tick Info from Alberta Health” .
There are many products on the market for tick prevention; some good and some not-so-good. It is advisable to speak further on tick prevention with your veterinarian to hear his/her recommendations. They are the experts on your beloved pet’s health! We will help you and your pet have a safe and enjoyable Spring and Summer.