Tick surge on Long Island puts pets at risk
Like humans, animals can contract Lyme disease from tick bites. In rare cases, the illness can be fatal if left untreated.
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Ticks are something no pet owner wants to see crawling on their dog or cat.
Veterinarians at Manetto Hill Animal Hospital in Plainview say they are seeing an uptick in cases, with pets arriving from across Nassau and Suffolk counties carrying more ticks than usual.
“We’re seeing a lot of cases lately with pets coming in with ticks,” said Dr. Gabrielle Rebmann, a veterinarian at the hospital. “We’ll do removals for people if they’re unsure how to remove them.”
Like humans, animals can contract Lyme disease from tick bites. In rare cases, the illness can be fatal if left untreated. Veterinarians say warning signs in pets include limping and unusual bruising, particularly on the gums or stomach.
Experts say ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, places with deer and even in dog parks. That means routine outdoor activities can expose pets to risk.
Veterinarians recommend performing regular tick checks after pets spend time outside in these environments.
If a pet is bitten, treatment options are available. Preventative medications can also significantly reduce risk.
“Have them maintained on a monthly flea, tick and heartworm preventative,” Rebmann said. “If a tick bites and takes blood from your pet, those treatments help ensure it will die.”
Veterinarians say early detection and prevention are key to keeping pets safe as tick activity rises.
