A blood-borne disease spread by ticks which can prove fatal to dogs may have reached Nottinghamshire.
Babesiosis is carried by the biting parasites and can cause anaemia and death in animals.
It had previously been confined mainly to mainland Europe and the US but is gradually becoming more common.
Churchcroft Veterinary Centre on Beeston High Road says it has now found the species of tick which carries the disease on a pet brought in for treatment.
It is thought to be the first time the tick – the Dermacentor species – has been found in the county after the first UK cases appeared in Essex two weeks ago.
The dog the tick was discovered on did not actually have the disease itself.
A statement on the centre’s Facebook page read: “Warning to all dog owners. We have identified a tick picked up by one of our patients as the carrier of Babesiosis.
“This disease is the fatal blood-borne disease that has been in the news recently. The affected dog had picked up this tick in Bramcote Woods so it seems it is now in Nottingham. Please come and review your parasite control as soon as you can.”
Symptoms of the condition include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, jaundice, red or brown urine and fever.
Although serious, it can be treated, and severe cases may require blood transfusions.
Ashfield House Veterinary Hospital, Long Eaton, said it had spoken to staff at Churchcroft about the discovery.
In a statement Ashfield House said: “The tick was thought to be the Dermacentor species, and has been sent off for testing as part of a nationwide tick monitoring scheme.
“While this tick has been associated with Babesia in Essex, not all of them are carrying the disease.”
The Government is monitoring its spread and Public Health England are keeping tabs on its progress.