Why tick protection matters here in Olmsted County
If you walk your dog along the Douglas State Trail, hunt with them in the fall, or just let your cat into the backyard, ticks are a real and rising risk in our part of Minnesota. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Minnesota and across the U.S., and Olmsted County Public Health issues seasonal warnings every spring as the blacklegged (deer) tick re-emerges. Southeast Minnesota's mix of wooded river valleys and tall grass is exactly the habitat these ticks prefer.
At Eyota Veterinary Care, we see the consequences of skipped tick prevention firsthand and the good news is that nearly all of it is preventable.
Minnesota's tick season is longer than most people think
Adult deer ticks emerge as soon as the snow melts and hit peak activity in May, staying active through June. Nymphs; the tiny, poppyseed-sized stage responsible for most disease transmission which peak from late May into July. Ticks become active again from late September through October. In practice, that means any month above freezing carries risk, which is why we recommend year-round prevention rather than seasonal.
The tick-borne diseases we watch for in this region
Lyme disease is carried by the blacklegged (deer) tick. In dogs, signs include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen joints, and a shifting lameness that seems to move from leg to leg. Symptoms often appear weeks to months after the bite, so the connection is easy to miss.
Anaplasmosis is the second most common tick-borne disease in Minnesota, spread by the same deer tick, with similar signs like fever, lethargy, low platelet counts. There is no vaccine for it, so tick control is the only defense.
Ehrlichiosis is carried by the Lone Star tick, which is present in Minnesota and expanding its range.
Cats are far less likely to show clinical Lyme disease than dogs, but they still carry ticks into your home and need protection.
How we protect your pet
No single product is perfect, so we recommend combining methods:
Year-round preventatives are the foundation such as oral chews, topical treatments, or tick collars. We'll help you choose based on your pet's lifestyle, age, and whether you have young children or other pets in the home.
The canine Lyme vaccine is available and worth discussing for dogs in our area, especially those who hunt, hike, or spend significant time outdoors. It does not replace tick preventatives but it works alongside them. There is no Lyme vaccine for cats.
Routine tick checks after time outdoors. Run your hands over your pet's coat, paying attention to ears, around the eyes, under the collar, between the toes, and in the armpits and groin.
Annual tick-borne disease screening, often done with the same blood test as the heartworm check, catches exposure early and frequently before your pet shows any symptoms.
Which Tick Prevention Products We Recommend
No single product fits every pet, so we match the option to your pet's age, weight, health history, and how much time they spend outdoors. These are the preventatives we most often reach for:
For dogs, monthly oral chews are our usual first choice. Products like Simparica Trio, NexGard PLUS, and Credelio. Several of these protect against fleas, ticks, and heartworm and intestinal parasites in a single dose, which makes it far easier to stay consistent month to month. For dogs with a history of seizures or other neurologic conditions, we recommend a non-oral option instead, such as a topical treatment or a long-acting collar.
For cats, we recommend cat-specific topicals like Bravecto Plus or Revolution Plus. One important safety note: never use a dog's flea and tick product on a cat as several canine ingredients are toxic to felines, so feline-formulated products only.
We'll walk you through the choice at your appointment and make sure you leave with a plan that fits your household; including homes with young children or multiple pets.
A note on safety
The oral chews above belong to a drug class called isoxazolines, which are very widely used and considered safe and effective for most pets. The FDA has noted that, in a small number of animals, this class has been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors or seizures. Occasionally even in pets with no prior history. We review your pet's full medical history before recommending any product, and for pets with neurologic concerns we'll choose a non-isoxazoline alternative. If you ever notice unusual symptoms after starting a new preventative, stop the product and call us.
Found a tick on your pet? Here's what to do
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady pressure, remember to avoid twisting or crushing it. Clean the area, and watch for fever, lethargy, or limping over the following weeks. Don't use matches, nail polish, or petroleum jelly; these old methods can make the tick release more saliva and increase infection risk. If you're unsure or the head breaks off, call us at +1 (507) 710-3753
Schedule a tick prevention visit
Whether you need to start a preventative, ask about the Lyme vaccine, or have your pet screened after a bite, we're here. Eyota Veterinary Care, 95 Center Ave N
Eyota, MN 55934, +1 (507) 710-3753 , serving Eyota, Rochester, Dover, St. Charles, and the surrounding Olmsted County communities. Call to schedule a visit today.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Minnesota? Adult ticks emerge as soon as snow melts, peak in May–June, and return in fall. We recommend year-round prevention because warm winter spells can wake ticks early.
Does my indoor cat need tick prevention? Cats that go outdoors or live with dogs that do, can pick up ticks, so prevention is still recommended. Talk to us about cat-safe products, since some dog products are toxic to cats.
Is the Lyme vaccine enough on its own? No. The vaccine reduces Lyme risk but doesn't protect against anaplasmosis or other tick-borne diseases, so it's used alongside year-round preventatives.
My dog had a tick but seems fine. Should I worry? Possibly. Lyme and anaplasmosis symptoms can take weeks to appear. Annual screening catches exposure early, often before symptoms start.