Knowing If Your Dog Is At Risk For Lyme Disease – Learn More - Veterinary Medical Center of Hardeville

Protect your Pets: The Dangers of Tick-Borne Disease

As our wonderful community has grown, so has the need for vigilance when it comes to companion animal healthcare. At the Veterinary Medical Center , we’re excited to offer the modern pet care you need right here in your backyard. And with the lush Lowcountry environment surrounding us, one of the most serious year-round threats to your pet’s well-being is the tick.

Ticks are more than just a nuisance; they are carriers of serious diseases that can harm your dog or cat. We take our responsibility to your pet extremely seriously, and we want to ensure you have the knowledge to protect them.

The Hidden Threat: Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Hardeeville Pets

Ticks remain active even in warmer winter temperatures, meaning protection must be year-round in the Bluffton-Hardeeville area. When a tick attaches to your pet, it can transmit bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens that lead to serious illness.

Here are the diseases we commonly diagnose and treat at our center:

Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Spread by species like the Lone Star Tick and American Dog Tick, which are prevalent in South Carolina, Ehrlichiosis is a serious bacterial infection that targets a pet’s white blood cells. Symptoms can vary but often include fever, depression, weight loss, and joint pain. RMSF, also spread by local tick species, is another bacterial illness that can be severe if not treated promptly.

Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis: While Lyme Disease may be more common in other regions, the Black-legged Tick (or Deer Tick) is found in our area and can transmit both Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis. Both are bacterial infections that can cause lethargy, swollen joints, lameness, and fever in dogs. Early diagnosis through blood testing is crucial for effective treatment.

Recognizing the Symptoms: When to See Your Veterinarian

If you observe any of the following symptoms, it's time to schedule your pet's appointment right away. Our welcoming office is equipped with the industry’s leading technology, and we have the skill to quickly diagnose and treat your pet:

Sudden Lameness or Limping: Often shifting between different legs.
Fever and Lethargy: Your pet seems unusually tired, depressed, or warm to the touch.
Swollen Joints: Joints may appear puffy or feel tender.
Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss.
Unusual Bleeding or Bruising.

Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. When you choose Veterinary Medical Center, you are choosing a quick response and compassionate care.

Comprehensive & Compassionate Prevention is Key

We believe the best medicine is prevention. Our solutions are affordable, gentle, and compassionate, and we’ll help you develop a protection plan tailored to your pet’s specific lifestyle.

1. Year-Round, Veterinary-Recommended Prevention: This is the single most effective way to protect your pet. Many over-the-counter products are simply not strong enough for the persistent tick threat in the Lowcountry. Talk to our team about prescription-strength preventatives, which come in a variety of modern, easy-to-administer forms:

Oral Chewables: Fast-acting and convenient, often combined with heartworm protection.
Topical Treatments: Applied directly to the skin.
Repellent Collars: Designed to actively repel ticks before they can bite.

We will help you select the product that offers the highest-quality, most reliable protection for your pet.

2. Practice Daily Tick Checks: If your dog spends time in wooded or tall, brushy areas, perform a thorough check immediately after coming inside. Ticks love soft, hidden spots, so focus on these areas:

Between the toes and paw pads.
Inside and around the ears.
Under the tail.
Around the neck and under the collar.

If you find a tick, remove it carefully with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping close to the skin and pulling straight up with steady pressure. Call us if you are unsure or if the tick is difficult to remove.

3. Maintain a Tick-Safe Yard: Ticks thrive in leaf litter, tall grass, and underbrush. Reduce the tick population around your home by regularly mowing the lawn, removing leaf piles, and trimming shrubs near pet activity areas.

Your Partner in Pet Health in Hardeeville and Bluffton

At Veterinary Medical Center, it’s an honor to be trusted with your pet’s well-being. We are committed to being here for you whenever you need us, offering high-quality healthcare that’s affordable and accessible.

Don't let the threat of tick-borne disease compromise your pet’s happiness. Whether it’s time for a yearly checkup and screening, or you need to discuss the best prevention plan, reach out to our compassionate team today.

Schedule your pet's appointment with us today!

Tags: modern vet clinic preventive care for dogs pet preventive care