With tick season underway, dog owners are being warned to check their four legged friends for ticks or face the risk of serious illness.
Ticks are blood-sucking, brown, egg shaped creepy crawlies and they are more prevalent in the warmer weather. Dog owners need to take precautions when they walk their dogs to keep their dogs healthy.
Ticks pass infection from one animal to another and if left untreated can lead to illnesses including:
- Lyme disease
- Babesiosis (which is extremely rare)
- Tick-borne encephalitis
Owners are urged to treat and remove ticks as soon as they spot signs of discomfort in their dog.
Darren Beale from Years.com said: “Tick season is now well underway. These nasty creepy crawlies are most active during the warmer months and love the places our dogs enjoy walks. Favourite haunts are woodlands, areas with long grass and places with farm animals and wildlife.
“Keeping your dog tick free can be tricky but it’s not impossible. Owners can use tick prevention treatments but the most important step they can take is to check their pet after taking them out.
“If you do find a tick, remove it straight away and if you have any more concerns consult a vet.”
How to keep your dog tick-free
Here are five top tips for keeping your dog tick-free:
Check your dog
Try checking your dog after every walk and you may find the ticks before they start to attach. Run your hands over your dog’s body to check for them – it will feel like a small bump under the skin.
They tend to attach themselves to the head, neck, ears and feet so pay particular attention to these areas.
Avoid tick hotspots
Areas with long grass are best avoided during the warmer months. Instead, keep to paths and wide open spaces where your dog can run freely.
If you’re lucky enough to live by the beach, this is an environment you will not find ticks. Just check your pet is allowed on the beach during the summer season.
Tick prevention
Use tick prevention to reduce the risk of your pet becoming infected. The two most common methods are:
- Medication or;
- A tick collar.
If you opt to use any tick prevention methods make sure you apply it correctly.
Some methods (like a collar) prevent tick attachment, others kill ticks when they attach. However, it is always recommended that you check your pup for ticks, even if you are using a prevention method.
No prevention method is 100% effective so you may find ticks crawling on your dogs fur.
Removing ticks
If you do find a tick, remove it straight away. Never pull out a tick – their mouthpieces are burning in the skin. Pulling it off can leave these parts within the surface or the skin. Instead, use a tick hook.
As a quick three step guide to using a tick hook:
- Slide the hook between the tick and your dog to trap it.
- Gently rotate until the tick comes loose.
- Make sure you have removed the head as well as the body.
Watch this handy video on using a tick hook:
Seek help
If you’re worried you haven’t removed all the ticks or your dog becomes unwell, contact your vet. Look out for redness, swelling or signs of infection.
