Cape Breton has its first case of Lyme disease after a tick was found on a dog in Glace Bay, but residents are being urged not to panic.

Dr. Rebecca Korven said a Shih Tzu brought in to the veterinary clinic in Sydney in December had symptoms of the disease.

"Her lymph nodes were enlarged, there was swelling around her face where the tick had been attached," she said.

Lyme disease is caused by the bite of blacklegged ticks, sometimes called deer ticks.

In humans, it can cause symptoms like headaches, fever and joint pain, or, if untreated, migraines, skin rashes and extreme fatigue. In dogs, the disease can cause kidney infections that can kill the animal.

Korven informed the Department of Natural Resources of the case and the tick was sent off for analysis, and confirmed the diagnosis for Lyme disease on Friday.

No reason to panic

Dave Harris, regional director for DNR in Cape Breton, said ticks may be common to the island, but not the kind that carry Lyme disease, so one positive result is no reason to panic.

"I'd be really surprised if there is a breeding population as yet. It takes a few years for that to happen," said Harris, adding the tick has to find a host and mate and lay eggs, which takes time.

He encourages people to send any ticks they find to the department for identification. Any ticks of the blacklegged variety would be tested for Lyme disease, he said.

Korven said pet owners should check their animals regularly for ticks and get their dogs vaccinated.

Four cases of Lyme disease were found in Nova Scotia's Lunenburg area last summer, bringing the total to eight cases in the province since 2002.