Protecting your dog or cat from ticks in Ladner means using a vet-recommended preventive year round, checking your pet’s coat after walks near grass or the dykes, and removing any tick promptly. Ticks here can carry Lyme disease and other infections. The team at 48th Avenue Animal Hospital can help you choose the right prevention for your pet.
Why ticks are a real concern around Ladner
Ladner sits among farmland, green space, and waterfront trails, which is wonderful for dogs who love a long walk and for cats who slip outdoors. It is also the kind of habitat ticks prefer: tall grass, brushy edges, and shaded leaf litter. As our winters stay mild, tick activity in this part of the Lower Mainland now stretches across much of the year, not just a few summer weeks.
Ticks are small, sometimes no larger than a sesame seed before they feed, so they are easy to miss in a thick coat. They climb onto a passing pet, attach to the skin, and feed slowly over hours or days. The longer one stays attached, the higher the chance it passes on an infection, which is why prevention and prompt removal matter so much.
What ticks can do to your pet
The biggest worry is Lyme disease, an infection some ticks carry that can cause fever, lameness that seems to shift from leg to leg, low energy, and swollen joints in dogs. Signs can take weeks to appear, so a pet may seem fine right after a bite and still be affected later. Ticks can also transmit other less common infections, and a bite alone can leave a sore, irritated spot.
This is general information, not a diagnosis for your individual pet. If your dog or cat is unwell, the cause needs to be confirmed by a veterinarian rather than assumed from symptoms at home.
Building year-round protection
The most reliable defence is a consistent, vet-recommended preventive. These come as chewables, topicals, and collars, and the best choice depends on your pet’s species, weight, lifestyle, and health history. This is one reason to avoid guessing with over-the-counter products, since some are not suitable for every pet. Our wellness programs are built to keep prevention on schedule alongside vaccinations and routine checks, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Steady pet care services also give your veterinary team a baseline for your pet, which makes it easier to notice early changes. A few simple habits help too: keep dogs on trails rather than pushing through tall grass, brush and inspect the coat after outings, and keep your yard trimmed to reduce the brushy edges ticks love.
Do not forget fleas, heartworm, and summer heat
Ticks are not the only seasonal risk. Fleas thrive in the same warm months and can cause intense itching, skin infections, and, if swallowed during grooming, intestinal parasites. Heartworm is a separate, more serious concern spread by mosquitoes, which is why mosquito season is part of the prevention conversation even in coastal BC. Many modern preventives are designed to cover several of these parasites at once, and your veterinarian can recommend the right combination.
Summer also brings heatstroke. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, so a midday walk on a hot Ladner afternoon or time in a parked vehicle can become dangerous quickly. Heavy panting, drooling, and unsteadiness all call for shade, cool water, and a prompt call to a clinic.
How to check your pet and remove a tick safely
A quick body check after every walk is the simplest protective habit you can build. Run your fingers slowly over your pet, feeling for small bumps, and pay attention to these spots:
- Around and inside the ears
- Under the collar and along the neck
- Between the toes and in the armpits and groin
- Around the eyes, lips, and chin
If you find an attached tick, you can remove it with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, crush, or burn it, and do not use petroleum jelly or other home remedies, which can make things worse. Clean the area afterward and wash your hands. If you are unsure or cannot remove the whole tick, the clinic can do it for you.
When to call your veterinarian
Reach out promptly, and do not wait for a routine appointment, if your pet shows any of the following after a bite or outdoor season:
- Fever, low energy, or loss of appetite
- Limping or stiffness, especially if it moves between legs
- Swelling, redness, or oozing at a bite site
- A tick you could not fully remove, or a head left in the skin
Timely diagnostics such as blood testing help your veterinary team understand what is happening, and medical services and consultation guide treatment if an infection is confirmed. 48th Avenue Animal Hospital is locally owned and operated by Dr. Neeraj Sharma, who has cared for Ladner pets since 2011, and the clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Our focus is simply helping Ladner families keep their pets comfortable, protected, and well.
Frequently asked questions
Do indoor cats really need tick prevention?
They are lower risk, but ticks can hitch a ride indoors on people or on a dog, and some cats slip outside. Ask your veterinarian whether prevention makes sense for your cat’s lifestyle.
Can I use a dog tick product on my cat?
No. Some dog products contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Always use a product matched to the right species and weight, chosen with your veterinary team.
How soon should I remove a tick I find?
As soon as possible. Prompt, careful removal lowers the chance of disease transmission, so check your pet after outings and act quickly.
Is tick season only in summer here?
No. With mild coastal winters, ticks can be active across much of the year in the Ladner area, so year-round prevention is the safest approach.