Tick season is upon us, and our pets will soon be threatened with the chance of the infection of Lyme Disease. Portage Veterinarian Hospital Dr. Tammy Dunbar says we might not see them just yet, though.

"We are starting to see ticks coming to life soon, now that the temperature is warming up, especially our deer ticks, which is the one that most people are concerned with," explains Dunbar. "It carries Lyme Disease. Once temperatures come above zero, they start showing activity. In saying that, they're still under the snow. So, maybe that little bit of snow is saving us from seeing them earlier than the normal time."

Dunbar says several good products from various companies are available to prevent tick infestation on your pet, and they're intended to stop the tick from attaching to the animal. 

Dunbar adds there are also special tick removal tweezers that get down to the base where the tick is burrowed into the skin, to remove the insects. When dogs are first exposed to ticks for the first few contacts in the season, there can be a significant local skin reaction. The tick bites and injects certain chemicals to help it feed after it bites. She notes it's those chemicals that cause the reaction. Dunbar notes you need to remove the tick before it's engorged with blood to avoid such reactions and the transmission of diseases. Once they're removed, she says, keep an eye on the bite area and watch for further infection. Contact a veterinarian if necessary.