Pets can get Lyme disease

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Just like human beings, dogs can also catch Lyme disease. And just like human beings, its effect on them is every bit as serious.

Manhattan veterinarian Dr. Christian Eriksson describes the symptoms dog owners should look for. He says lethargy and loss of appetite are nonspecific, but if you notice your pet walking on eggshells, shifting like lameness, painful in their joints that could be a sign that Lyme disease.

It can take as long as several months between being bitten by a tick to when symptoms can show.

People out walking dogs in parks and trails are encouraged to avoid high grass and wooded areas and should check their dog for ticks as soon as they get back home.