ItÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s tick season in the Okanagan.
The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) is warning pet parents of the dangers around ticks which can host on animals and use the host to survive.
Ticks are incredibly dangerous as they carry various diseases which can be deadly. The most common is Lyme disease. Not all ticks carry disease and the percentage varies based on location but that percentage is never zero. Anytime it is above -4 C it is possible for ticks to be active.
So, as the temperatures begin to heat up, it is all the more reason to watch your pets to ensure they donÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t fall prey to these parasites.
Ticks latch onto pets after the animal brushes up against them. These arachnid parasites are most commonly found in long dry grass as well as in bushes, short grass, piles of sticks and leaves.
If you find a tick on your pet remove it immediately with a proper tick-removing tool to help prevent disease transmission, and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Monitor your pet for any disease symptoms such as:
- Changes in behaviour and appetite
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Lameness
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Symptoms of a tick-borne illness may not appear until 21 days after a bite.
Using preventative measures it is possible to protect your pets from disease transmission.
The most effective method is having your pet on a tick, flea, and internal parasite prevention. This oral tablet can be given once a month and can be acquired through your veterinarian.
These medications kill the tick as soon as they bite, preventing latching and minimizing disease transmission.
Vaccinating pets for Lyme disease is another preventative method to help animals.
Always remember to check pets for ticks after they have been outdoors. Some common areas for ticks are in and around the ears, around the eyes, around the collar, in between the toes or on the paws, on the base of the tail or actually on the tail, and inside the groin/armpit.
