Ticks are a common arachnid parasite that can cause your pet a lot of discomfort. These bloodsuckers are infamous for spreading diseases that can have drastic health complications for both humans and pets alike. It’s essential, as responsible pet parents, that we inform ourselves on the nature of these pests. Doing so will allow us to better understand how to protect our pets from this parasitic threat. Here are five quick tick facts all pet owners should know:
- Questing: Ticks can’t jump or fly, instead: they quest. A questing tick will simply climb up blades of grass and wait until a suitable host brushes up against their perch. To best protect you and your pet, try to avoid wooded areas with high grass and leaf density.
- Infestation is possible year-round: The optimal months for ticks to thrive lie between April and November, but the end of tick season doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. As summers get warmer, ticks are popping up more frequently during months of usual absence. So caution is recommended year-round to best protect your pet.
- Dangerous to pets and humans: Ticks are vectors for many types of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. All of these illnesses can be devastating for both you and your pet.
- Tick removal done right: Don’t listen to the old myth of burning the tick’s backside. Putting a match to a tick will only cause more complications. Remove the tick the tried and true way by using a pair of tweezers to carefully extract the tick from the skin.
- Ticks feed for days: Ticks have adapted to feed on your pet for days at a time. This is achieved by the ticks' ability to securely embed themselves into skin with their hooked teeth. Typically, it takes between 24-48 hours of feeding to prompt detection and removal is necessary to protect your pet from serious disease transmission.
If your pet begins to act strangely after a tick bite, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. As stated above, ticks can transmit dangerous diseases that can wreak havoc upon your pet’s health.
Rye Hill Veterinary Clinic is Here to Help
If your pet has been suffering from a tick infestation, take them over to Rye Hill Veterinary Clinic for a checkup! Our professional and compassionate team will ensure your pet is given only the best medical and surgical care. Feel welcome to contact us today to schedule an appointment.