Tricky Ticks

 Tick Season


Welcome back tick season! As we enjoy all this warm, fresh weather, ticks (and fleas) are just waiting for the right opportunity to find a new home, preferably on our 4 legged pets. Even with prevention, sometimes ticks will still find a way into our pets fur - if not to latch onto them, then to hitch a ride onto a better suited host. In this post we will discuss what ticks are & where they hide, proper removal, and what you should know about Lyme disease.

  Ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of their host. There are many sub species of ticks, the one we need to worry about is the Deer Tick (left) which spreads the bacteria to cause Lyme disease. Common ticks to find on dogs are the American Dog Tick, Brown Dog Tick, and Deer Tick. The Dog Ticks are generally found in areas with little or no tree cover, such as a grassy field while the Deer Ticks are found mostly in deciduous forests. (tick species)
It is so very important to check your pets over after every walk in the park, the woods, or just playing outside. They will hide and embed down in the skin so a thorough look through & brushing will help you rid your pet of any lingering pests. They typically latch onto the warmest part of the body - prime spots are the head, neck, ears, groin, in between toes, eyelids, and underneath collars. (where to look)
What to do when you find a tick attached? Have tweezers readily available and part the dogs hair around the tick to expose it fully. Grab the tick at the base of it's head, at the skin as you want to remove all of the tick including what has embedded into the skin. Once you have a hold of the tick, gently pull upward gradually applying pressure to cause the tick to release. Clean the bite and dispose of the tick by killing it in alcohol or flushing down the toilet. (removal)
As mentioned earlier, Deer Ticks carry a bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. When your pet is bitten, the bacteria can be transferred to them, usually after the tick has been attached for 36 to 48 hours. Symptoms to look out for are stiff walk, sensitivity to touch, redness & swelling around the bite area, difficulty breathing, fever, lack of appetite, depression, and swollen lymph nodes. Dogs who develop Lyme Disease may experience lameness due to inflammation in the joints. This can last a few days and show up again weeks later. If you are concerned if your pet could have been affected, contact your Veterinarian. (lyme disease)
As we enjoy the season, the beautiful weather, and being outside, we must be aware of what else is out enjoying the weather too! With the many species of ticks and the bacteria they carry, be sure to educate yourself on which ones pose a danger to your pets and yourself. We have included links for more information, but as always, consult your Veterinarian for more information.