Local Vets See More Tick-Borne Diseases This Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Fleas and ticks don’t completely die off in the winter, especially with this year’s milder weather.

The Duluth Veterinary Hospital has seen more diseases than usual and earlier than normal. The main disease being Lyme Disease. Tick-borne illnesses can be bothersome for dogs causing tiredness, fevers, limping, and soreness. For fleas the main symptom is itchiness.

Vets recommend year-round prevention to keep your pets healthy.

“Preventatives are key, those tick checks are key, the other thing I would consider especially in our area we should be vaccinating our dogs for Lyme Disease as well. So, having kind of that three-fold protection is very essential this time of year,” said Betsy Madole, Veterinarian.

Spring and summertime are when more dogs are out in public. There are things to consider when taking your dog out.

“This time of the year this is when I think about you know going to the dog parks, finding intestinal parasites if they’re getting into other dog’s stools. You know dog to dog interactions, make sure your dog is safe on a leash out there,” said Dr. Madole.

Tick-borne diseases are very treatable in pets. Call your local vet for what specific flea and tick preventatives are appropriate for your animal.