Tick Season Is Worse Than Ever: What Pet Parents Need to Know
Ugh… Ticks!
Even if your pet is protected, there are still a few crucial things every pet parent needs to know. And if you ever find a tick on your pet - what do you actually do next? Watch to learn, or read on for more detailed must-know information to help you stay proactive and prepared.
What do I do if I find a tick on my dog?
DON’T FREAK OUT!!!
Yes, some ticks can transmit certain diseases to our furry friends. We have all heard horror stories of the horrible side effects of Lyme disease. Pet owners just want to do the right thing and protect our pets from disease and illness.
It appears tick prevalence in Ontario is worse than ever and more pet owners are having to deal with ticks on or attached to their dogs. So, I am going to suggest an approach you might want to consider when dealing with ticks that have attached or you found dead. I am trying to balance the emotions of finding a tick and the thought of infection with the cost of veterinary care. I totally get that how we choose to deal with our pets is a personal one and there is not a one size fits all in this scenario. What follows are a few suggestions and some facts around dealing with ticks and Lyme disease.
A Few Things To Know About Ticks and Lyme Disease
- Not all ticks carry and transmit Lyme disease. The predominant tick in Ontario is the brown tick or dog tick. The deer tick or black-legged tick is the tick we are most worried about here.
- If you are using a tick med from the vet, it is important to know that this pesticide does not repel ticks (and fleas). The critter needs to bite and feed so the pesticide in you pet’s blood kills them off. A tick biting and feeding can still transmit Lyme.
- Note on Cats: While cats can technically contract Lyme disease, it is considered incredibly rare for them to show clinical symptoms or require testing compared to dogs.
Attached tick(s). What next???
- Remove it as soon as possible. It is important to remove it with the head intact. Leaving the head in the skin can cause potential irritation and infection. There are tick removal tools that make it easy to remove a tick safely.
- Try to identify the species of tick. You are looking for the deer (black legged) tick. There are apps that you can use to help you do this.
- If it is the common brown or dog tick, then kill that sucker. If you find it is a deer tick, then put that little monster in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the freezer. It will be good to have if needed. Also, note the date that you removed the tick. This will come in handy if you need to vet your dog.
- Do I need to go to the vet right away? In my opinion I would not. Not all deer ticks are carriers of Lyme disease. Not all tick bites result in transmission of the disease. I would wait for about 4 to 6 weeks and do one of two things. First, is my dog showing any symptoms of Lyme disease i.e. lameness, loss of appetite, lethargy? You know your dog best and continuous monitoring of symptoms is important. If your dog does show symptoms, then vet appointment right away. Secondly, I may choose to make a vet appointment to have a blood test done to screen for Lyme disease. The most common test is called the SNAP 4DX Plus test. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for Lyme disease antibodies to show up in you pet’s blood. This is where you will want to bring the frozen tick in for your vet to see.
- If you choose to test, the results will be positive or negative. If negative, you can sleep at night a little better. If positive, don’t freak out. Most healthy dogs can test positive for Lyme antibodies but remain completely asymptomatic. A positive antibody test alone doesn’t always mean your pet is actively sick. That is why your vet will suggest another test to measure the amount of Lyme antibodies. One of two tests are use. A Lyme Quant C6 Test of a Canine Lyme Multiplex Assay.
- The results of this test will dictate next steps. If the number is low, then there is a very good chance your pet is asymptomatic and no need for drugs. Your vet will suggest yearly monitoring to ensure the Lyme disease is not active. If the number is high, then the proper drugs will be prescribed, and the disease can easily be handled going forward.
That’s why it is important to get at that tick right away and properly assess the risk of disease. The earlier you get on it, the better.
Knowing your pet inside and out is best way to stay on top of ticks. If you have chosen to use chemicals on/in your dog to kill ticks, don’t assume that transmission has not occurred. Ticks and fleas need to bite, and transmission can still take place. Using a layered approach is always best. I would rather repel with natural and safe products. If you feel a need for the chemicals, consider using the natural solutions as well. If you want to have a look at tick removal tools and all natural methods of deterring the bugs, the click HERE.
We all want to protect our pets and do the right thing. Hope this helps.
The Proof is in the Poop!
