Essex County vet warns of increase in dogs with Lyme disease

An Essex County veterinarian is reporting a slight increase in cases of Lymedisease found in pets.

• Veterinarians in Windsor-Essex say tick cases on the rise

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Dr. Janice Huntingford with the Essex Animal Hospital says a large number of her patients have been visiting the clinic for tick removal. This year she's seeing more dogs withLymedisease.

Manydogs that test positive for Lymedon'tshow any symptoms, but Huntingfordsaid there's a list of signs to watch out for ifyou suspect your pet is sick.

"One of the most common symptoms is shifting leg leg lameness," she explained. "Then there are just overall sicknesses, they feel a bitlethargic, they might run a fever, they might have an arched back, they just don't feel very well."

Pet owners should take steps to protect their pets from the disease which can cause kidney issues in some more serious cases, according to Huntingford.

The veterinarian suggests usingtopical gels or oral products to keep animals from becoming ill.