It is that time of year again-we are seeing ticks already! Any time the weather is above freezing for more than a few days in a row, ticks can emerge and start to wreak havoc. Ticks can transmit a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. These diseases can cause lameness, fever, lethargy, decrease in appetite, kidney disease, thrombocytopenia, (low platelets, the clotting cells), anemia (low red blood cells), or leukopenia (low white blood cell counts). Please see this previous blog regarding Lyme disease. Prevention is key for these diseases. Topical monthly flea and tick preventatives such as Parastar Plus or Frontline Plus are recommended. An alternative is Nexgard which is a monthly chewable preventative. There is a vaccine available for Lyme disease as well. Please discuss with your veterinarian if your pet is at risk and would benefit from this. Lyme disease is endemic in this area (meaning it is prevalent here-see the map of human cases tracked by the CDC). Thoroughly examining your pet after being outside, especially if in tall grasses or wooded areas can help find ticks before they attach as well. Most of the tick borne illnesses need the tick to be attached for at least 24 hours in order to transmit diseases. Catching them […]
Learn MoreWhile the temperatures have finally turned cold enough that ticks are a fleeting memory, this is one of the times of year where we see our highest prevalence of tick borne illnesses (spring being the other time). While there are a number of tick borne illnesses, one of the more common ones is Lyme disease. Lyme disease, or Borrelia burgdorferi, is a common tick borne illness in the Northeastern United States. It is carried by the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. An infected deer tick must bite an animal and attach itself for 24-48 hours in order to transmit Lyme disease, so finding unattached ticks or using a product that kills ticks within 24-48 hours should prevent infection. If an animal does become infected, it takes many weeks to months before signs become apparent. Animals do not tend to get a target-like rash from the original tick bite like humans do. When they do show signs, they are often nonspecific such as fever, inappetance, lethargy, limping, especially shifting leg lameness, and just not acting like themselves. Often this is because of multiple joint arthritis, or joint inflammation and pain. Since it can take months to see these signs, a bite in early spring before the first dose of tick preventative is applied is usually […]
Learn MoreHeritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
12624 Base Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.