The summer months offer ample opportunities for pets and their owners to enjoy time together outside. If your cat likes to spend the sunny days lounging on the lawn or your dog wants to go on long walks, it’s important to avoid ticks when outdoors. Here, the veterinarians of Westside Veterinary Hospital of Statesboro, GA, share what you can do to keep them safe.

Why Tick Protection Matters

Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. A bite can cause blood loss, anemia, and skin irritation in addition to increased risk of serious illnesses. Lyme disease, which can occur in cats and dogs, leads to swollen lymph nodes, fever, painful joints and kidney failure. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Another tick-borne illness, Cytauxzoonosis, is common in the South, where it is transmitted from wild bobcats to domestic cats via ticks. Symptoms include high fever, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, jaundice, and eventual coma and death. Unfortunately, there is no known cure.

By practicing proactive tick protection, you are also safeguarding yourself and your family, as some ticks can transmit illnesses to people as well as animals. Georgia is home to ticks that bite both people and animals. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in humans, but there are many others. 

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Dogs and outdoor cats can benefit from regular anti-tick treatments, from washes to topical products and collars. Simply limiting an animal’s time in tick-friendly areas—woods, fields and long grasses—is also helpful. Always check your pet for ticks after they have been outdoors.

If you do find a tick, follow this guide or visit your veterinarian for safe removal. Monitor your pet for signs of illness or behavioral changes in the days that follow. Visit a veterinarian immediately if you notice any issues. Make sure to check yourself for ticks as well, since you and your animal were likely in the same area.

For a reliable animal clinic in Statesboro, GA, trust Westside Veterinary Hospital. With over 25 years of experience, these veterinarians are known for the compassionate and personalized care they provide. Learn more about their services, from dog boarding to microchipping, online. To schedule an appointment, call (912) 489-1998.