Lyme Disease is now present in our area. Primarily transmitted by deer ticks, this bacterial disease can be spread after a tick has been attached for 24-48 hours. Signs of Lyme disease include lameness due to leg pain, swollen joints, fever, and lethargy. In more severe cases, it can result in potentially fatal kidney disease. For dogs at higher risk, your veterinarian may recommend vaccination. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by the brown dog tick and the lone star tick. It typically presents in three phases: subclinical (no obvious signs), acute (fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes), and chronic (severe weight loss, bleeding disorders, and neurological signs). Anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by deer ticks and brown dog ticks. Common signs in dogs include fever, lethargy, joint pain, loss of appetite, and bleeding disorders due to low platelet counts. Cytauxzoonosis, often called Bobcat Fever, is a devastating disease specific to cats and transmitted by the lone star tick. It progresses rapidly and is often fatal, causing high fever, severe lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and muscle pain. Other diseases spread by ticks include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and tick paralysis. Protecting your pets from the significant health risks posed by ticks requires year-round prevention. A common misconception is that ticks are only a seasonal threat. In reality, ticks can survive indoors, such as in garages, year-round or remain active on animals even during cooler months. Consistent, year-round parasite prevention is essential to keeping your pets safe. SPONSORED BY More Than a Nuisance: AS PET PARENTS, WE DO OUR BEST to protect our pets from dangers and potential health risks. However, even with the best care, certain threats still exist every day. Ticks are becoming one of the most dangerous threats to both our pets and ourselves. These parasites can transmit serious, sometimes life-threatening and long-lasting, diseases to animals and people alike. That’s why early removal and year-round prevention are critical to keeping your entire family healthy. Ticks are direct carriers of bacteria and protozoa that infect and multiply within your pet. When feeding, ticks can inject these pathogens directly into a pet’s bloodstream. Here are some of the most common tick-borne diseases: The Hidden Dangers of Ticks 68 MARCH 2026 | INTHEVUE.COM
