As the weather warms, ticks are making a comeback in Ontario. Here’s the tick prevention information you need to know to protect your animals.
What is tick?
Ticks are members of the spider family and are strong biters. They are attracted to three things: body movement, body temperature, and carbon dioxide. Ticks are terrestrial, so they jump from low bushes or the ground to latch on to you or your animal. They are usually found on the body parts of animals that sit closest to the ground: the neck, head, around the ears, paws, the front part of the chest, and the underside of the chest.
Ticks can transmit diseases to our furry friends. For example, infected black ticks that cling to our furry friends can transmit bacteria that can cause Lyme Disease. While attached to the tick, the bacteria can enter the animal’s bloodstream for a period of 24 to 48 hours (or longer). Not all exposed dogs will go on to develop the disease. Dogs that develop clinical signs of Lyme Disease may present with a range of clinical signs such as fever, limping, joint swelling, decreased appetite, and/or kidney disease. These clinical signs can take several months to develop and your veterinarian can assist your furry friend with a treatment plan.
Read more on the Worms & Germs blog of the Ontario College of Veterinary Medicine.
How to prevent
There are ways to prevent your animal from getting ticks. Reducing tick exposure by leashing furry friends and avoiding tall grass and heavily wooded areas can help. Regular tick checks of your furry friends after walks and time outdoors and timely tick removal are also important. Talk to your vet to learn about which tick prevention products are best for your furry friends.
How to get rid of ticks
Improper removal of ticks can cause many problems. It’s best to consult your veterinarian to make sure tick removal is done properly and to develop a prevention program for your furry friend. Some tick-killing products kill ticks before they can infect your companion animals. There are also topical options, but if considering one of those products, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to help you use it properly.
How to safely keep ticks away from your dog
For information on other bugs you need to watch out for this summer, Read our blog here.
