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Learn morePage 2 of 3. Pet health tips, clinic news, and educational articles from our veterinary team.
Mowing, raking leaf litter, and a 3-metre wood-chip barrier between lawn and woods reduce tick numbers by 50–90%. Here's the full Halton-friendly yard playbook — including what NOT to do if you have a cat.
Read moreUse fine-tipped tweezers or a Tick Twister, grasp close to the skin, and pull straight up. No matches, no vaseline, no alcohol on the tick. Here's the proper technique from a Halton vet.
Read moreFound a tick on your cat? Remove it gently with a Tick Twister, save it for eTick.ca, and watch for signs over 2 weeks. Cats rarely get Lyme — here's what they actually do get.
Read moreFound a tick on your dog? Remove it with fine-tipped tweezers, save it for eTick.ca, and book a 4DX test 6–8 weeks later. Here's the full step-by-step from a Halton vet.
Read moreYes. Anaplasmosis became reportable in Ontario in February 2023, and Halton's first locally-detected cases came in 2025. Same vector as Lyme, similar symptoms in dogs. Here's what you need to know.
Read moreNo. K9 Advantix II contains permethrin, which is severely toxic to cats. Even cuddling a recently treated dog can poison a cat. Here's why, and what to use instead in a multi-pet home.
Read moreIt depends. The Lyme vaccine is genuinely contested — even within veterinary medicine. Here's the honest, evidence-based answer for Halton dogs in 2026, including who should and shouldn't get it.
Read moreCytauxzoonosis is a fast-moving, often-fatal tick-borne disease that affects cats. It kills 40% of treated cats. Not yet established in Ontario, but the vector ticks are moving north.
Read moreeTick.ca is a free Canadian tick identification platform. Upload three photos, get an expert species ID in 1–2 business days. Pet ticks count too. Here's exactly how it works.
Read moreThe 4DX is a quick blood test that screens dogs for heartworm, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Done annually in late spring. Here's what it tests, what a positive means, and why it matters.
Read moreLyme nephritis is an immune-mediated kidney disease that affects a small subset of Lyme-exposed dogs. It's frequently fatal and can damage kidneys before any outward signs appear. Here's why screening matters.
Read moreHalton's blacklegged tick infection rate jumped from 0% in 2018 to 38% in spring 2025. Here's why ticks are surging in Oakville and Ontario in 2026, and what it means for your pets.
Read moreCan't find what you're looking for? Our veterinary team is here to answer your questions and provide personalized advice for your pet's health needs.