Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria, borrelia, which is transmitted to a person or animal by a tick bite. The deer tick, also known as the black legged tick, is the carrier of this bacteria, but not all deer ticks are infected. Deer ticks are most commonly found on deer and small rodents. Having these animals around can increase your and your pet’s exposure to these tiny insects. When an animal is bitten by a tick that carries the borrelia bacteria, the pathogens enter into the bloodstream and can cause issues in many areas of the body.

 

Signs of Lyme Exposure in Pets

– joint pain
– heart issues
– brain fog
– memory loss
– partial facial paralysis
– decreased energy
– difficulty breathing

– digestive issues
– muscle weakness (especially limbs)
– fatigue
– fever
– decreased appetite
– stiffness
– depression

 

What to Do If You Find a Deer Tick (or Any Tick)
If you find a tick attached to your skin or your pet’s skin, proceed with the following steps…

 

1. Using a tweezers, grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible without crushing it. Crushing the tick can cause more toxins to be released into the body.

 

2. Once grasped, pull gently away from the skin.

 

3. You may choose to put the tick in a ziplock bag and send it in to us for testing. If you choose to do this, add a moist cotton ball to the bag to prevent the tick from drying out.

 

Prevention for Your Pet

 

 1. Avoid high tick zones such as woods and tall grass
 2. Mow your lawn regularly and dispose of leaf litter
 3. Check for ticks on a daily basis and remove any immediately
 4. Use a tick repellent of your choosing

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