Due to the high increase of Deer ticks and Lyme disease on the South Shore, we strongly recommend protecting your dog by vaccinating annually against Lyme disease AND using a topical tick/flea control products like Frontline Plus. All dogs are at risk of contracting Lyme disease - even small dogs that don't spend much time outside. Both dogs and humans can bring ticks into the home, therefore both dog and human are at risk of contracting lyme disease if bitten by an infected deer tick. Ticks are usually black or brown, but can vary in size from a pinhead to a grape. Find a tick? Click here to identify the sizes and stages of a Deer Tick (black-legged tick).

Protect Your Dog:

• Vaccinate annually against Lyme disease
• Apply a topical tick control product monthly
• Check your dog thoroughly for ticks each time they come into the house
• Brush your dog frequently during tick season

Protect Yourself:

• Avoid long grasses, thick brush, and heavily wooded areas
• Wear light colored clothing to help you see ticks and remove them before they attach to skin
• Wear long-sleeved shirt tucked into long pants tucked into socks
• Frequently check your body for ticks - pay close attention to the hair/skull area

How To Remove A Tick:

• Make sure it really is a tick - not just a little tag of skin! (see above link to identify)
• Wear rubber gloves
• Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
• Pull tick's body away from skin in a strong, steady upward motion - try not to crush the tick to avoid leaking infected fluids
• Flush tick down toilet
• NEVER USE A HOT MATCH, PETROLEUM JELLY, NAIL POLISH, OR OTHER PRODUCTS TO REMOVE A TICK!!

• Lameness
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite / anorexia
• Fever
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Joint swelling
• Englarged lymph nodes
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Pale mucous membranes
• Petechia
• Epistaxis
• many more...
• Advanced cases can cause kidney failure