| Unwelcome Lodgers - Ticks |  |
Spring is Here! - And so are the Ticks!
Ticks are parasites that are most normally found in rural areas, where they infest livestock. So if you are walking your dog in the country, or in long grass, it is wise to check him over on your return. We have already found some on our dogs. Ticks are definitely unwelcome lodgers that burrow their heads into the skin of your pet and feed on the blood. They usually start off fairly small, but can grow up to half an inch as they become swollen with blood. They are bean shaped and dark in appearance. When they are small it is easy to mistake them for a skin tag, but you can easily see their little legs on the underneath part of the body.
Once they have eaten their full they usually fall off. However tick bites can easily become infected, so they are best removed as soon as you notice them. It is important to remove the whole tick, making sure the head is not left in the animal, as this could cause infection. The highest risk was thought to be from April to October when the tick is most active and feeding, but research has now shown that, in certain areas, ticks may be active most of the year.
Lyme Disease
You and your dog may be at risk from Lyme Disease if you are bitten by a tick. Lyme Disease is a relatively uncommon infection (in the UK,) but it has recently started to occur more frequently. It is caused by a bacterium carried by ticks. Dogs that are walked in the countryside, especially those walking through grass, rough vegetation or wild areas such as heathland, are more at risk. Ticks only tend to pass on the infection once they are fully engorged with blood. This is why it is so important to remove them as soon as possible.
There are actually three different kinds of ticks that are carriers of Lyme Disease, although the majority of cases are transmitted by the Deer Tick. Symptoms include limping, a higher than normal fever, and swollen lymph nodes. A dog with Lyme Disease may appear to be only in mild discomfort at first, but over a period of several days may be suffer such intense pain in the joints that he or she will refuse to move.
Tick Removal
The O'Tom tick remover is the best device we have found for removing ticks from animals and humans. Keep one in the car in case you are bitten, then you can remove it immediately. The device is very simple to use and ensures that the head is not left. All you do is place the tick twister under the tick, and turn anti-clockwise. The whole tick then just comes cleanly away. The tick twisters come in a pack of two with one twister for removing small ticks, and one for removing larger ticks.
After the tick is removed, the area should be sprayed or dabbed with Liquid Garlic Juice, or an antiseptic powder, to help prevent any infection.
Regular inspection of your pet's coat and skin should help to keep these unwelcome pests at a minimum.
These products are available in the "Health Shop" on our website at www.k9centre.co.uk
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Products of the month
Garlic and Fenugreek Tablets [click here]
Pennyroyal Dog and Cat Shampoo [click here]
It's that time of year when fleas and ticks are becoming a problem. The most common method of treating infestations is with spot-on treatments. However an effective long term preventative is our Garlic and Fenugreek tablets used daily along with regular use of our Pennyroyal Dog & Cat shampoo can help to deter fleas and mites. This combination is hard to beat as a natural preventative against internal and external parasites and the shampoo is also well received due to its tangy minty aroma. These products are not recommended to treat existing infestations.
Tick Removal
The O'Tom Tick Remover [click here]is the best device we have found for removing ticks from animals and humans. Keep one in the car in case you are bitten, then you can remove it immediately. The device is very simple to use and ensures that the head is not left. All you do is place the tick twister under the tick, and turn anti-clockwise. The whole tick then just comes cleanly away. The tick twisters come in a pack of two with one twister for removing small ticks, and one for removing larger ticks.
After the tick is removed, the area should be sprayed or dabbed with Liquid Garlic Juice [click here], or an antiseptic powder, to help prevent any infection.
Regular inspection of your pet's coat and skin should help to keep these unwelcome pests at a minimum.
These products are available in the "Health Shop" [click here] on our website at www.k9centre.co.uk
Please ring us if you have any questions, or see our website www.k9centre.co.uk
Carol Martin (AACC)
Edmiston House
Nethermill
DUMFRIES
DG1 3NG
Tel: 01387 860322
© Canine Therapy Centre 2007. All rights reserved
