As recent as a decade ago deer ticks carrying Lyme disease were virtually nonexistent in the Catskills. However, they have now spread over the region. Last June I was bit by one on Ashokan High Point as evidenced by the red circular bull's-eye rash (none of that unmentionable lesion). FYI I had already had the Lymerix vaccine - so it just shows you can still get the rash even after being vaccinated. My doctor still recommended I take the antibiotics after the bite just to be safe.
A dog belonging to some of my friends got Lyme disease this past February - those bugs apparently have no off season. The dog could not walk for a couple of days, but recovered after treatment.
The Catskills last summer had a bumper crop of stinging nettles, and raspberry and blackberry thorns. I remember that all were present last July when I climbed Westkill. Perhaps Robodog got badly scratched and then developed an infection in those scratches. In any case a trip to the vet might be warranted.
