These nasty little parasites are common everywhere, and each year, animals become infected with the serious diseases they transmit. Ticks feed by biting into your pet's skin and ingesting blood. They typically live on three different animal hosts within their life cycles, which can be as long as three years. 

Although ticks can cause many diseases, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever are the most well known. These diseases can cause fever, anemia, bleeding, painful joint swelling and lameness. Some of these diseases can even cause paralysis. 

How can you protect your pet? Treat dogs and outdoor cats with flea and tick preventatives year-round. Make a tick check part of your daily routine (pets, kids, and you). The sooner they are removed, the less likely the chance of infection. Never use your fingers to remove ticks. Use tweezers or commercial tick removers. Be sure to let us know when you visit if you have removed a tick from your dog or cat.