The first type of ‘ticks’ you would hate!

In general, we love ticks, especially when we are children. What a feeling we had when we beat them in our Maths exams! But beware! These are some killers!

Are you enjoying a walk with your dog, especially in a bushy area, full of grass and bushes? If so, you better take care of yourself. Ticks lie in grass and bushes, sometimes climbing higher for a better chance of making contact. They can detect vibrations from a walking animal and can also use their modified scent to detect carbon dioxide and mammalian breath odors. Once detected, they will simply jump on you.

Ticks on dogs and puppies are unsightly, painful and sometimes very dangerous. These bloodsucking insects feed on all vertebrates, but they are particularly relatives of dogs and cats, as they tend to enjoy the same haunts as their pets. And they can expand 20 to 100 times their size while feeding. And the scariest thing about them is the fact that ticks can go unnoticed. As tiny as they are, they can cling to you or your dog without being seen or felt. If your dog has a light coat, he is just as lucky, as he will notice ticks quickly. But, if your dog has a dark coat, ticks will often go unnoticed until they are well engorged with blood.

So how do you check them? You will certainly feel them by running your fingers or a fine-tooth comb or flea comb through your dog’s coat. Check your dog everywhere, but especially around the head and neck, ears, and paws. In most ticks, it can take 12 to 24 hours from the time they attach to regurgitate the bacteria back to the host.

What can ticks do to your pet? They can spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, making them potentially deadly. Also, too many ticks feeding on a single dog can cause severe anemia or a condition called tick paralysis.

Alright, so how do you control and prevent ticks? This is especially important to avoid diseases associated with them. To avoid exposure to ticks, use a flea and tick spray before taking your dog into a thick, brushy area. Also keep grass and plants well trimmed. This decreases the number of ticks that you and your dog can find. If you live in an area populated with ticks, then your vet may suggest that you have your dog vaccinated against ticks. Always make sure any ticks you find and remove are dead before disposing of them. A good way to kill them is to stomp them to death. The most important thing is to monitor your dog closely for the next few days to make sure he doesn’t get sick!

To remove ticks from your dog, use tweezers, not your fingers, petroleum jelly, or a match. Simply place the tweezers at skin level, squeeze, and then move with a firm grip as you pull up. Be sure not to compress the tick’s belly, as this could make it easier for its contents to regurgitate, which could mean disease. After all, your diligence in finding and removing ticks before they attach is the best preventive measure of all.

So enjoy a walk with your dog. But avoid wooded areas, tall grass, and wet areas!