Did you know ticks can become active when temperatures rise above 4°C (39°F)? That means even during mild winter days in Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan, ticks can emerge and seek a host. With this season’s warmer winter conditions, tick activity may begin earlier and last longer than many pet owners expect. Because ticks can survive under leaf litter and light snow cover, your dog or cat may be at risk of tick exposure during times of year you wouldn’t normally think of as “tick season.”

What Happens If My Pet Had an Engorged Tick?

Finding an engorged tick can be concerning. In most cases, ticks must be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit disease. If a tick is fully engorged, it has likely fed for an extended period, which can increase the risk of disease transmission.

If you discover an engorged tick on your pet, your next steps may include:

• Proper removal of the tick

• Monitoring for symptoms

• Testing the tick (where available)

• Testing your pet

It’s important to note that some diseases — particularly Lyme disease — may not appear on bloodwork immediately. Testing too soon after a bite can produce a negative result, so follow-up testing 3–4 weeks later is often recommended.

Our veterinary team in Kelowna can guide you on the best timing based on your pet’s exposure risk.

What Tick-Borne Diseases Affect Pets in British Columbia?

In British Columbia and across Canada, the most commonly identified tick-borne diseases include:

• Lyme disease

• Anaplasmosis

• Ehrlichiosis

Geographic exposure matters. Pets that travel outside of Kelowna — especially to the United States or other southern regions — may be exposed to additional diseases.

Lyme Disease in Dogs: What Does a Positive Test Mean?

Veterinarians use antibody tests to screen for Lyme disease. A positive result means your dog has been exposed to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease — or has been vaccinated against it.

A Quant C6 test may help determine whether exposure was from natural infection or vaccination.

Important things for pet owners to know:

• Fewer than 5% of exposed dogs ever develop clinical symptoms

• Cats develop symptoms even less frequently

• When symptoms occur, they often include:

  • Joint pain

  • Swelling

  • Lameness

  • Fever

A rare but serious complication called Lyme nephritis (a type of kidney failure) can occur, but it is uncommon. If kidney values are elevated in a Lyme-positive dog, other causes of kidney disease are often more likely.

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia: What If My Pet Tests Positive?

Anaplasmosis

Many pets with Anaplasma show no symptoms. In some cases, pets may develop:

• Low platelet counts

• Low white blood cell counts

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Bleeding tendencies

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichia is more likely to cause noticeable illness than Anaplasma.

The good news is that when pets are symptomatic, both infections typically respond very well to treatment with doxycycline.

Unlike Lyme disease, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infections can often be confirmed with a PCR test that detects the organism directly in the blood.

After treatment, antibody tests may remain positive for life — but if your pet feels well and PCR testing is negative, further treatment is usually not required.

Prognosis for Tick-Borne Diseases

In most cases, tick-borne diseases have an excellent prognosis when diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Prompt testing and monitoring are key to successful outcomes.

How to Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases in Kelowna

Prevention is the most effective way to protect your companion.

Modern veterinary tick preventatives significantly reduce the likelihood of disease transmission. While no product is 100% effective, consistent year-round prevention is strongly recommended.

Because ticks can be active at temperatures above 4°C, prevention in the Okanagan should not stop in winter.

Regularly check your dog after hikes, walks, or time spent in grassy or wooded areas — especially around:

• Ears

• Neck

• Between toes

• Under collars

When Should You Contact Fairfield Animal Hospital?

Contact our team if:

• You’ve found an engorged tick on your dog or cat

• Your pet develops fever, lethargy, joint pain, or lameness

• You’re unsure whether your pet is protected with appropriate tick prevention

• Your pet has recently travelled outside the Okanagan

At Fairfield Animal Hospital in Kelowna, we have been proudly serving the Okanagan community since 1976. Our longstanding presence reflects our commitment to dependable, compassionate veterinary care for generations of local families.

When it comes to tick-borne diseases, early guidance and trusted medical advice matter.

If you have concerns about tick exposure or prevention, call us at (250) 860-6550 to speak with our team.