As we transition into spring and start spending more time outside with our pets, it is important to remember some tick prevention tips for your furry friend. Ticks can be harmful to your dog and can transmit Lyme disease. Ticks can also be passed on through contact with other animals, so it’s always important to check for ticks after your dog has been out playing with friends!
Here is an overview of what ticks are and how to prevent them:
What are ticks?
Ticks are members of the spider family and are strong biters. They are attracted to body motion, body heat and carbon dioxide.
Ticks are ground dwellers and are found on low shrubbery and long grass
They can be most commonly found on the body parts of your dog that are closest to the ground. These include the neck, head, around the ears, the front of the chest and the underside of the chest.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, a serious illness which can spread by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. When a tick bites and begins to feed, the bacteria in the tick’s stomach begins to migrate via the bite wound to the blood stream of the dog who has been bitten. This can take four to five days to occur, so the longer the tick remains on the animal, the higher the risk of Lyme disease.
Tick prevention
There are some tick products that kill ticks before they can infect your furry friend. Speak to your veterinarian about which tick prevention products are best for your dog.
Make it a habit to check your dog every time you come in from a walk or after they have been playing outside. Don’t forget to check their underside!
Early detection is always best for treating ticks. If you find a tick on your animal, put the tick in a plastic bag and bring it to your veterinarian for identification.
Tick removal
Removing ticks improperly can cause many problems. You can develop a preventative program with your veterinarian to ensure you are taking the right precautions and know how to properly remove ticks.
Along with ticks, fleas can also become a problem for your animals as the weather warms up. Find out how to prevent, remove and treat fleas here.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
The post How do ticks affect dogs? Tick prevention for your dog appeared first on Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
Leave a comment