Vets warn the risk of dogs getting Lyme Disease on the rise

WATCH ABOVE: Vets are warning the risk of your dog getting Lyme Disease is on the rise — and it can be deadly. Christina Stevens reports.

TORONTO — Veterinarians are sounding the alarm, saying they’ve never seen so many dogs come in with ticks on them or had it happen so early in the season. Ticks have the potential to carry Lyme disease.

“This is really the first year that it’s kind of a break-out disease,” said Dr. Mark Cole, a veterinarian at the Abbotsford Animal Hospital in Aurora. “Until this year we saw a sporadic tick, usually late in the season: August, September. Now they are coming in April, and there are lots of them.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is really the first year that it's kind of a break-out disease," said Dr. Mark Cole, a veterinarian at the Abbotsford Animal Hospital in Aurora. "Until this year we saw a sporadic tick, usually late in the season: August, September. Now they are coming in April, and there are lots of them."

He said owners should check their dogs for ticks.

The Zimmers check their pooch for ticks on a regular basis. A couple of weeks ago their dog Bella came running into their house with something on her ear.

READ MORE: Ticks found on Toronto Islands being tested for Lyme disease

“It was kind of gross looking and I examined it closer and realized there were legs on this thing,” said Betsy Zimmer.

They quickly, and safely, removed it with something called a “tick key”, made for that purpose. They took Bella and the tick to the vet for testing.

“We are still waiting for the results. We put her on antibiotics though because there have been two cases of Lyme this year already in our area,” said Zimmer.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We are still waiting for the results. We put her on antibiotics though because there have been two cases of Lyme this year already in our area," said Zimmer.

Dr. Mark Cole said they did the right thing — early intervention with antibiotics can knock down the disease. He said owners can also take preventative steps, either by getting their dog the vaccine against Lyme disease or by using a repellent.

READ MORE: Stay smart when it comes to ticks — even in the city

Few dogs in Ontario have tested positive for Lyme disease, and only five per cent of those with the antibodies become ill. Still the number of positive tests has doubled over the last five years.

The consequences of Lyme Disease can be serious.

Anna Marie Lamantia’s dog Oscar died of it. She said he was just three when he woke up one morning and couldn’t walk. Tests revealed it was Lyme.

“So I beared with him for about a year on medicine and then finally he couldn’t, he just got worse and worse,” said Lamantia.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "So I beared with him for about a year on medicine and then finally he couldn't, he just got worse and worse," said Lamantia.

Meanwhile, with Bella on antibiotics, the Zimmers are hoping for the best.

“A dog becomes part of the family,” said Martin Zimmer.