Warning Signs

Dogs: Unexplained Lameness Fever Lethargy Loss Of Appetite Fever Kidney Damage Heart Disorders Neurological Problems Cats: Fatigue Fever Appears Arthritic Or Lame Loss Of Appetite Eye Damage Unusual Breathing Heart Problems Horses: Swollen Joints Laminitis Refusal To Eat Cattle: Unexplained Lameness Swollen Joints Fever Laminitis Weight Loss

When it comes to our pets, safety and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are right at the top of our list. But did you know that pets are just as susceptible to Lyme Disease as people are? Lyme Disease can be found in dogs, cats, horses, and cows; however, any pet who has access to the outdoors may come in contact with ticks carrying Lyme Disease. If your pet frequents tall grass, bushes, and woody areas he may be at a heightened risk because these are the areas where ticks prefer to reside.

There are many products available which help eliminate both ticks and fleas such as topical acaricides and effective tick collars. A Lyme vaccine may also be available to help protect dogs, but due to the controversial nature of the disease will most likely not be available on a wide scale. It is important to find the appropriate repellant for your pet and not to mix repellants because certain chemicals and chemical combinations may make your pet ill. Discuss tick prevention with your veterinarian to find out which products are best suited for your pet. Even with the use of these prevention products, we recommend that you check your pet for ticks regularly, especially during the warmer months when ticks are more prevalent.

If you find a tick on your pet, you should remove it promptly and completely. For more information on tick removal please visit our tick removal section. Following tick removal, monitor your pet and consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the warning signs of Lyme Disease. Since Lyme Disease can affect individual pets differently it may be difficult to notice the warning signs. Some animals may display no symptoms and other animals may develop a loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting (for the most common reactions per animal see the warning signs table). If left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause serious damage and even be fatal!