Pet Care Tips from a Devoted Animal Lover

Posted on: 1 August 2017

Ticks are very small parasites that bite their way through your pet's skin, eventually inserting themselves below the skin's surface where they will feed off of your pet's blood. If the tick is infected with Lyme disease, it could infect your pet as well. Prevention is key in helping to protect your pet from tick bites and from Lyme disease. See below for symptoms of lyme disease and prevention tips.

Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

If your pet has been outside, it's important to keep an eye out for ticks on their fur or skin, as well as ticks that have embedded themselves. Look at your pet under and around his ears, feet (between toes), on the underbelly, and along the legs. Look for a tiny black insect, or feel for small lumps and inspect these further, as they could be an embedded tick. If you see a tick on your pet, use tweezers as close to the skin as possible, to gently pull the tick out. Kill the tick by placing it in alcohol, or sealing it in a plastic bag to die.

If your pet has been bitten, keep an eye out for the following symptoms: listlessness, fever, no appetite, or joint pain. These symptoms may not show up for a few months after being bitten. If you suspect your pet has Lyme disease, take him to your veterinarian immediately for a checkup.

Preventative Tips

Prevention is key in preventing Lyme disease from tick bites.

• If you live in a wooded area, you may want to think about getting your pet vaccinated against Lyme disease, or given an oral preventative.
• Keep your grass clipped and shrubbery cleared out around your home where ticks could be living and hiding.
• Watch for ticks on your pets, as well as yourself.
• Have your yard sprayed to help get rid of ticks.
• Keep your pets in a clear area of your yard, rather than in tall grass, or in thick wooded areas.

If you or someone else in your family had been bitten by a tick, it's important to keep an eye on your pet to ensure he doesn't also get bitten (if your pet will be in the same area), and vice versa. If you see any ticks on your pet, gently remove them and take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice any signs of Lyme disease to have your pet treated with antibiotics.