Lexington Animal Hospital has seen a big spike in dogs with lyme disease and another tick-borne disease called Ehrlichia in the last 30 days.

Deer ticks, which carry the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, are entering their most active season. These ticks are most active between the colder, wetter months of October through February. The Lone Star ticks, which carry Ehrlichia, are most active in the hotter, dryer months of May through August. Ehrlichia, like Lyme Disease, can cause fevers, swollen joints, loss of appetite, and damage to the kidneys.

It is important to note that the dogs who became sick with Lyme were both:

1) not on year-round vet-recommended flea and tick preventatives

– and –

2) not vaccinated against Lyme disease

Fortunately, dogs who stay on year-round tick preventatives, like Simparica, and who are vaccinated against Lyme disease, have all stayed healthy.

We want to remind all pet owners that ticks stay active through the cooler winter months. The best way to protect against tick-borne diseases is with monthly administration of Simparica for dogs and with Revolution Plus for cats.