When a tick hops
onto your dog or cat, it's dinnertime for this nasty
parasite. The tick will bury its mouth in your pet's
skin, and can swell to 50 times its normal size,
becoming engorged as it feeds on your pet's blood.
Heavy infestation may cause anemia, especially in
cats. There are some ticks that transmit serious
infections, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain
spotted fever, ehrlichia and babesia.
Ticks on Dogs & Cats Can Be Prevented
Successful tick control starts with
prevention. Make your lawn unwelcoming to these
parasites by mowing the grass regularly. Trim any
weeds, as ticks favor vegetation as high as several
feet off the ground. And as smaller ticks feed on
smaller mammals, be sure your yard isn't a playground
for rats and mice. Keep the lids securely on your
garbage cans, and consider relocating your bird
feeders if they're accessible to rodents.
Before a walk in the woods or other
habitat frequented by ticks, arm your dog with protection.
Try a spray or powder that's made with an appropriate
insecticide. Your veterinarian can recommend the
right product for your pet. Avoid walking in very
thick underbrush and long grass, and be sure to
check your dog when you get home. Ticks may be hard
to spot, so go slow, and pay extra attention to
your pet's ears,skull, feet and around the anus-these
are perfect parasite hiding places.
Removing Ticks Right Away Is Important
If you do find a tick on your pet,
you'll need to remove it right away. First, wipe
the tick and the surrounding area with rubbing alcohol.
Grasp the tick with a pair of tweezers and, with
a rotating action, gently pull the mouthpiece from
your pet's skin. Never grasp a tick between your
bare fingers. If an infected tick bursts during
removal, you could be exposed to any disease it
may be carrying. It's important that you remove
the tick's mouth as well as its bloated body-any
parts that remain behind could lead to an abscess
or infection. And remember, throwing the tick in
the garbage or flushing it down the toilet will
not kill it. Experts recommend dropping the
parasite into a small jar filled half-way with alcohol.
Not only does this kill the tick, it preserves it.
Should you suspect your pet has a tick-related infection,
you can bring the specimen to your veterinarian
for examination.
Ticks on Cat & Dog Companions Can Be Serious
Depending on the part of the
country you live in, you'll need to be extra-alert
for any signs that your dog or cat has contracted
a tick-borne infection. Lyme disease is common in
pets and people in the Northeastern United States,
especially in Connecticut, where it was first identified.
Babesia is more common in warm, humid areas of the
South. Ehrlichia can be found throughout the United
States, but it is most common in the south. And
the tick that causes Rocky Mountain Spotted fever,
which is not limited to western and mountain states,
can cause disease in humans also. If your pet develops
a bleeding disorder, sores, fever or diarrhea after
exposure to ticks, or has lost his appetite or seems
a bit stiff in the joints, contact your veterinarian.
