My cats bring in ticks occasionally. How...

The tick that carries Lyme disease is called a deer tick and is different from the common dog tick. Although dog ticks are noticeably larger than deer ticks, accurate identification can be made only with a microscope. For certain identification of a tick, you’ll have to send it to a laboratory. If you pick ticks off your cats, immerse the ticks in a small vial of alcohol until they can be checked. Ask your local vet for the lab closest to you.