A day at the dog park or hiking in our area can be pleasant until such time as you spot a tick on your pet or yourself. DDG has come up with a few ways to help through what is predicted to be an infested summer.
Thanks to the warmer weather, tick season is yet upon us sooner than before. Most active April through May, they’re becoming quite the nuisance to those of us who love to walk through beautiful trails and dog parks.
Tick Season Apple Valley
About Ticks:
They can only crawl and cannot fly or jump as some people imagine. Dense overgrown areas are great breeding grounds for ticks, so try to keep yourself and your pet out of deep brush. Remember, no vaccine is 100% guaranteed to repel ticks. See your veterinarian for the best tick repellent or vaccine for your dog.
Myth: Do all Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?
Only black legged ticks carry Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
Dogs swollen joints and fever may have Lyme disease. However, other diseases may also cause these symptoms so it’s best to consult your veterinarian to have blood work done.
Do ticks die off in the winter?
No. Ticks simply aren’t as active in the winter months
If your dog is going to be frequenting high risk areas consider adding a Lyme vaccine to their annual vaccine protocol. Lyme vaccine acts by reducing the risk of contracting the disease. Lyme disease cannot be transmitted until after the tick has been feeding for at least 24 hours,
Ticks mostly attach around the head, ears, neck, feet, and the base of the tail but, can be anywhere on the dog’s body.
Have you Found a Tick on Your Dog?
- Remove immediately using fine-tipped tweezers.
- Do not squeeze the body as this can accidentally let Lyme disease bacteria into your pet’s body. Do not “crush” the insect to kill it. Instead, immerse it in alcohol. Even touching the blood of a tick can possibly infect you.
- Do not put anything on the tick or try to burn it as this may also lead to the tick releasing bacteria into the bite area.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water.
We’ve discovered a product call the “Tick Key” is one of the best methods of removing ticks. If you aren’t able to bring yourself to do it, please bring your dog to your veterinarian for safe tick removal.
