While we’re busy enjoying the warm weather with our pets, it’s important to remember that summer is the season for fleas and ticks.
Dogs can pick up ticks from almost anywhere, but most commonly from walking in long grass or woodlands, where they can lie in wait for months, until their next meal passes by. Because ticks are larger than fleas, they should be easier to spot; it’s also likely your pet will only have one tick, and not an infestation like fleas, although, the tick can burrow into the skin making them difficult to find.
Check your Pet
You can check your pet for ticks by running your hands all over their fur. If you notice any strange lumps or bumps, carefully part the fur to examine it. Be sure to check all the favourite places where there’s plenty of blood supply and not much fur – in and around the ears, on their bellies and the inside of their legs and armpits.
Identifying and Removing Ticks
Ticks come in all shapes and colours, usually between the size of a pinhead and a fingernail. They generally look like small hard pebbles, as once attached, their legs and head burrow under the skin and you won’t be able to see them.
If you discover a tick you should never try to remove it yourself. It’s always best to visit a vet to have it removed as tick bites and partly removed ticks can cause infection, so you’ll need to have it checked properly.
Tick Diseases
Ticks can carry an array of harmful diseases that can infect your pet and their bites can cause reactions and irritations that will make your dog uncomfortable and unhappy. But it’s not just your pet you need to worry about – ticks aren’t picky! Not only will ticks attach themselves to your pet, they also like humans too, and the diseases that they carry can affect you too. So it’s best to be vigilant and try one of these simple tips for preventing ticks.
- Treatments
Over the counter spot-on medicine can be bought from your vet or pet shop and should prevent ticks from biting your pets. To get the most effective treatment, always consult your vet and follow the repeat application procedure at the set time. Some medicines last for up to 3 months, but in the summer, or if your pet is particularly prone to tick bites, it’s best to use a monthly treatment.
- Shampoos
Very few dogs enjoy a bath – but using a specialist shampoo that contains medicated ingredients will help to prevent ticks attaching to your pets. This is a cheaper method, but you will need to repeat the process regularly as the active ingredients won’t last long!
- Avoid
One of the best ways to stop your dog contracting a tick is to avoid the places they are likely to be. Ticks normally live in long grass and woodlands, waiting to jump onto the first warm-blooded creature that brushes past. To avoid this, try to keep your dog to paths and routes with short grass. This is unlikely to be the best solution, as we all know a dog loves nothing more than running through long grass on a hot day.
Here at Green Lane Farm we know there is nothing more important than keeping your pet happy and healthy, so you can be sure that our range of pet care services – including dog bathing – will help to keep your dog tick free during their stay with us.
