Think a tick bit your dog or cat? Here are symptoms to look for
Tick-related illnesses in pets are driving record-high emergency visits this year, with nymphal ticks driving most cases. Owners should watch for fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, or skin infections. Safe removal and prompt vet care are critical. Australia’s paralysis ticks pose additional risks for pets.
What changed
New data confirms emergency visits linked to ticks have hit levels not seen in a decade, with heightened activity from nymphal ticks in warmer months.
Live updates
-
Tick bites surge in pets: Symptoms and emergency risks rise in 2026
confidence 92%Tick-related illnesses in pets are driving record-high emergency visits this year, with nymphal ticks driving most cases. Owners should watch for fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, or skin infections. Safe removal and prompt vet care are critical. Australia’s paralysis ticks pose additional risks for pets.
What's confirmed:
- Tick activity remains elevated in 2026, with emergency department visits spiking due to tick-borne illnesses in pets.
- Nymphal ticks are the most active from March through July, increasing exposure risks for pets outdoors.
- Symptoms of tick bites in pets include fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and skin infections.
- Paralysis ticks in eastern Australia can attack pets, livestock, and humans, requiring immediate action if found.
Still unconfirmed:
- Tick bite symptoms may include paralysis in pets (single-source claim, not yet confirmed in U.S. context).
-
Tick bites spike nationwide: Symptoms in pets to watch for amid record activity
confidence 93%Tick bites are surging across the U.S., with veterinarians reporting most cases begin with pets. Emergency visits linked to ticks have reached levels unseen in a decade. Owners should monitor pets for symptoms like skin infections, fever, lethargy, or swollen lymph nodes. Tiny nymphal ticks are most active from March through July as warmer weather increases outdoor exposure.
What's confirmed:
- Tick bites are driving a surge in emergency department visits, with activity levels exceeding those seen in the past decade.
- Most tick-related cases start with pets, according to veterinarians tracking nationwide trends.
- Symptoms of tick bites in dogs include skin infections, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and loss of appetite.
- Cats may show similar symptoms after tick bites, including fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Nymphal ticks, which are tiny and most active from March through July, are a primary vector for disease transmission.
- Tick habitats and populations are expanding, increasing the risk of exposure for pets and owners.
Still unconfirmed:
- Doctors in Connecticut report an 'unusually high rate' of disease-carrying ticks, though the exact jump in cases remains unspecified.
- Missouri and Illinois are facing a 'nasty' tick season, but no confirmed statewide statistics or disease outbreaks have been released.