Description
As we approach what is commonly tick season from March to November……
We have had such a wet Winter & Spring that it is likely conditions will be very favourable for ticks once the weather starts to warm up this year!!
It is very difficult to limit the spread of tick borne disease due to the prevalence of wildlife (hedgehogs, foxes, deer, badgers, birds and small rodents)
that will be out in places where we like to walk our dogs.
The tick cannot jump like a flea but it will crawl up long blades of grass and by the action of a dog or human walking through it will catch a ride by grabbing out
with its front legs to a passing body.
Ticks tend to thrive in damp and marshy areas and so dogs who love water may be more likely to come into contact with them.
Where do ticks tend to attach on a dog?
Generally ticks will attach to areas of the body with exposed skin and less hair where there are rich blood vessels close to the surface.
Abdomen, armpits, ears, around the eyes, groin, under the tail and between the toes are good places to start when back from a dog walk.
Ticks will have most success on the shorter hair breeds where it is easier to reach the skin surface.
Preventing tick borne disease……
The two size packs are useful as ticks that have just attached will not have started to feed and engorge and so they will be a lot smaller.
If the tick can be removed within the first 48 hours of it attaching the risk of contracting something nasty like Lyme disease is reduced.
When removing a tick it is very important to remove it correctly with a Tick Twister.
Rotate the hook either clockwise or anti clockwise depending on whether you are right or left handed so that the mouth parts of the tick unhook.
NEVER pull a tick off as you could leave the mouth-parts in the skin which can lead to a painful abscess forming.
How to remove a tick
Ticks should be removed as soon as possible.
Never remove a tick by pulling, crushing or squeezing – they have a large body and a small head which attaches to the skin, if you pull the tick you are likely to
leave the head behind which can cause an infection.
• Slide a tick twisting tool under the tick, as close to the skin as possible.
• Make sure the tick is held firmly inside the hook. Use a smaller hook if it feels loose.
• Twist the tool two to three times in one direction until you feel the tick loosen from your pet. DO NOT PULL THE TICK – it will let go when you twist.
• Slowly lift the tool away when you feel the tick loosen, it should stay trapped in the hook.
After removing the tick, clean the area and monitor your pet for any signs of illness.
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