Colorado Pet Owners Warned About Early Tick Season

As a pet parent, I would pretty much do anything for my dog. I make him a special dinner every night with his probiotics and fish oil, keep him happy with walks and training, and you better believe I am on top of my preventative care, too.

Colorado had pretty much zero winter this past season. The rattlesnakes came out early, the trees started to bud weeks before they normally do, and now another seasonal issue has started sooner than usual.

Ticks Are Already Active in Colorado

Colorado veterinarians are warning pet owners to be extra cautious as ticks are already out for the season. According to KDVR, since the ticks have come out of hiding so early, we can expect to see more of the blood-sucking arachnids.

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Colorado has seen plenty of ticks over the years, but one issue has surfaced recently. Lyme disease. Ticks that carry Lyme disease have migrated to the state over the past year and a half to two years.

Where exactly have these Lyme disease-ridden ticks come from? No one is entirely sure, but it is suspected that the ticks may have hitched rides on deer or other wildlife from Nebraska.

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What happens if you find a tick on your pet? The first thing you should do is remove the tick by firmly grabbing it as close as you can to the skin. Use firm pressure, and the tick will usually let go.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include joint pain, lethargy, slowing down, and not wanting to move. Some dogs may stop eating, too. If any of these symptoms show up in your dog, you might want to visit your vet, especially if you have found a tick on your pet.