Estrie in the red zone: why act now

Estrie has become one of Quebec's highest-risk regions for Lyme disease. Human and canine cases have exploded over the past 15 years, and tick season is getting longer every year. If you live in Sherbrooke, Magog, Orford, or the surrounding areas, prevention is no longer optional—it's essential.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know to protect your dog (and your family) from ticks this summer.

What is a tick? Understanding the enemy

The most concerning tick in Quebec is Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick. This is the one that transmits the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease.

• Ticks are active as soon as the temperature exceeds 4 °C—from early March to late November in Quebec
• Nymphs (young ticks) are tiny—barely 1-2 mm—and very difficult to spot
• A tick must be attached for 24 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease
• They are found in tall grasses, undergrowth, forest edges, and even in gardens

At-risk areas in Quebec

According to the INSPQ, the most affected regions are:

• 🔴 Estrie (Sherbrooke, Magog, Coaticook, Orford) - very high-risk zone
• 🔴 Montérégie
• 🟠 Outaouais
• 🟠 Laurentides
• 🟡 Other regions - risk increasing throughout Quebec

If you hike in Mont Orford, Mont-Mégantic National Park, or the trails in the Sherbrooke region, your dog is exposed on every outing.

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs

Unlike humans, dogs do not always develop visible symptoms. When they do appear:

• Unusual fatigue, lethargy
• Intermittent lameness (often the first sign)
• Fever (39.5 °C and above)
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Joint pain

In severe untreated cases, Lyme disease can cause serious kidney problems. Early diagnosis is crucial.

How to remove a tick from your dog

If the tick is already attached

Use a tick remover tool:

1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
2. Pull gently and firmly, without twisting or crushing
3. Disinfect the area with alcohol
4. Keep the tick in an airtight container for identification if necessary
5. Consult your veterinarian if you have any doubts

Absolutely avoid: oil, petroleum jelly, fire, or crushing the tick—these methods increase the risk of transmission.

Prevention: the Tick Mitt

The Tick Mitt is a specially designed fabric glove to capture ticks before they attach. After each walk, a simple swipe of the gloved hand over your dog's coat helps remove surface ticks.

• 100% natural, chemical-free
• Reusable and washable
• Works on dogs, cats, and humans
• Compact - fits in your hiking pocket

Discover the Tick Mitt at Sherbrooke Canin

Comprehensive prevention: our recommended approach

1. Daily inspection with the Tick Mitt after each outing
2. Parasiticide medication prescribed by your veterinarian (Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, etc.)
3. Lyme disease vaccination - available for dogs, recommended in high-risk areas
4. Avoid high-risk areas during peak hours and stay on marked trails

When to consult your veterinarian

• You find a tick already attached and engorged on your dog
• Your dog shows lameness, fever, or fatigue after an outing in the woods
• You want a Lyme disease screening test (4Dx test)
• You want to discuss vaccination or suitable antiparasitic treatment

Our experience at Sherbrooke Canin

We live in Estrie and regularly go hiking in the woods with Fidji, our Australian Shepherd. The Tick Mitt is part of our post-walk routine. Simple, quick, natural - and we have the peace of mind knowing that we are doing our utmost to protect our dog.

Discover the Tick Mitt at Sherbrooke Canin