07/08/2024
A closer look at common pet parasites: TICKS
Where from? Find them in long grass, meadows, parks, woodlands, especially when warm, wet weather is upon us. Ticks can sense a potential host is nearby using an organ on their foreleg that detects heat and chemicals (they are pretty amazing except that they are parasites!) and will climb tall blades to be ready to attach on.
Symptoms. You won’t see your pet reacting to it, as the tick releases a pain-relief chemical when it bites to stop being swatted off, so if you feel a lump when brushing or fussing your pet and your pet doesn’t react to you touching it, take a closer look – it may well be a tick. They often attach where skin is thin, so around the ears and under leg pits. They look a bit like an apple-seed but range 1mm to 1cm size, with their body ballooning as they feed.
Ticks can carry diseases which are transmitted as they feed, and they circulate saliva with the blood. The one we are most concerned about is Lyme Disease, which can also affect humans. However, the risk is low – only about 4% of ticks carry Lyme Disease and it takes a couple of days of feeding before there is any transmission.
Lyme Disease symptoms in pets include fever, loss of appetite, intermittent lameness and lethargy. In humans it is a rash, fever, headache, tiredness and joint or muscle pain.
The most common problems are because ticks were not removed properly and mouth parts are left under the skin, which becomes infected.
Treatment. Your preventative parasite treatment will help stop the tick staying on too long.
If your pet has one, remove with a tick remover or ask at a vets if you are not confident. Follow by cleaning the area with a pet-suitable antiseptic or soapy wash. Once the tick is off your pet, kill it by submerging in surgical spirit or soapy water in a small container. Clean pet bedding to remove any potential nymphs or larva.
MYTH BUSTING! Do not smother them, burn or freeze them. This could leave mouth parts inside your pet’s skin and that will get infected.
