Ticks

The summer increases the problem of ticks.

When female ticks are breeding they need to attach onto a warm-blooded host to take a blood meal before laying their eggs.  They climb up vegetation and wait for a passing host to attach to and bury their mouthparts beneath the skin in order to feed.

Ticks are very tiny and therefore difficult to see.  Once on the host, the tick will pierce the skin and attach itself and can stay there sucking blood.  Their bite can cause a nasty local reaction.

Ticks can also carry and transmit Lyme Disease.  This is a serious disease which can be transmitted to both dogs and humans.  Symptoms of the disease include fatigue and flu through to long term arthritis and kidney failure.

Ticks are generally noticed after feeding, because their body swells considerably.  After attaching they will detach and fall off within 48-72 hours, of their own accord. It is therefore important that your dog is protected by a tick treatment.

You can get tick removers from your vet.  Do not try and pull the tick off as you will almost certainly leave the mouthparts in the skin and risk an abscess forming. 

Some of the prescription only flea medications are effective against ticks and your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise the most suitable one for your dog.

Unfortunately, walking your dog in woodland and grassland areas is the ideal environment to find ticks.

The veterinary nurses at your local clinic will be able to advise you on tick control and show you how to correctly move a tick.