With spring upon us in New England that also means it’s the unofficial start of tick season.
These tiny parasites become active as temperatures rise, putting both humans and pets at risk for tick-borne illnesses. If you’re a pet owner, it’s essential to take proactive measures to protect your pets from diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis.
Ticks like deer ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks carry various types of diseases.
These species thrive in grassy, wooded, and damp areas, which are plentiful in our area, especially if you want to go for a hike on the trails near your respective houses.
If your pet has been exposed to ticks, monitor for symptoms such as:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain or limping
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
Seeking out medical treatment at a veterinarian, like our urgent care hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will be imperative for your pet’s overall health.
You should seek out care if:
- Your pet shows any signs of the symptoms above.
- The tick bite site appears infected, swollen, or is oozing pus.
- You are unable to remove the tick at home.
Make sure you are always giving your pet the proper preventative medication and check your pet every time you come in the house, especially after the longer walks in the wooded areas we spoke about before.
If you need to see a veterinarian today, our teams are here for you 7 days a week in Braintree, Dedham, East Providence, Easton, Plymouth, Saugus and Worcester. We are also opening a Narragansett hospital in June! Book online or view our hours before you walk-in at veturgentcare.com
