{"id":1309,"date":"2019-07-10T21:53:38","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T21:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/?p=1309"},"modified":"2019-07-10T21:53:38","modified_gmt":"2019-07-10T21:53:38","slug":"why-you-never-want-to-see-a-tick-on-your-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/why-you-never-want-to-see-a-tick-on-your-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Never Want to See a Tick on Your Pet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We were lucky to have such a beautiful, mild winter this past year, but we\u2019ll be paying for it throughout the summer. Without freezing temperatures, ticks were given a second chance to wreak havoc on our community, and experts are predicting that this year could be one of our state\u2019s worst tick seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a tick on your pet is never fun, but with our go-to tips for prevention we hope you\u2019ll never experience it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Getting a Grip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mild winters mean that plenty of hosts abound for year-round parasites. Vector-borne diseases spread by ticks, fleas and mosquitoes continue to threaten animal welfare even in areas that do experience extremes in the weather. For us, the warmth and humidity create happy habitats for these blood-suckers \u2013 but not if we can help it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tick Life-Cycle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usually the first frost kills off adult ticks and any eggs. However, without freezing temperatures, eggs can develop into the larval stage. From there, it can take up to three years between the eight-legged nymph stage and adulthood. But because they need a blood meal in order to \u201cgraduate\u201d into the next life stage, ticks often die before they can feed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not In My Backyard!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ticks can be found anywhere in the outdoors, but they prefer overgrown, grassy areas, or heavily shaded, wooded areas. Because of their heightened proliferation this year, be sure to trim back any growth on your property. Remember, they don\u2019t fly or jump; instead, they attach themselves to plants and wait for prey to walk by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, install fencing to reduce tick-harboring wildlife, rodents, or other mammals, from entering your yard and dropping ticks off to feed on your pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spotting a Tick On Your Pet <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since most ticks are pretty small, it can be difficult to spot a tick on your pet with the naked eye. That being said, it\u2019s a good practice to rub your pet down after they spent any time outside. Check their legs, abdomen, chest, neck, ears, and tail for any small bump on their skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dangers of Lyme Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The dangers of Lyme disease<\/a> are well known, such as possible kidney failure, or issues with the heart or brain. Responsible for certain problems in specific organs, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease also causes serious joint pain, swelling, fever, lameness, and overall illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your pet\u2019s lifestyle is an active one, it may be best to protect them with the Lyme disease vaccination<\/a>. Otherwise, keeping them on a year-round schedule of parasite prevention<\/a> can go a long way toward killing ticks that attach themselves. At Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care<\/a>, we stock a variety of high-quality preventives that are custom-prescribed for your pet\u2019s individual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tick Removal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you see a tick on your pet, stay calm. It can take up to 2 days for the Lyme disease bacteria to be transmitted into their bloodstream. The following tips aim to help you with quick tick removal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n