It’s that season again and it’s time to talk TICKS!
A tick is a small arachnid, which is better known as a bloodsucking parasite that can transmit many dangerous diseases to your pet- and to you! Lyme disease is just one of a few diseases that can be transmitted to your pets through a bite from a tick. The key to avoid tick trouble is prevention. March has been dubbed as National Tick Awareness Month by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, which is conveniently when the weather starts to warm up. You can visit their new web site: Tick Talk Canada
Here are some key facts to be aware of:
- The ticks become active when the temperature hits 0 degrees C and they are searching for something to feed on- you and your pet! And with this mild winter we have had there have been a few days that have surpassed that temperature.
- Ticks can be carried here on migratory birds.
- Ticks can carry Lyme Disease which can be transmitted to you and your pet from a bite. Lyme Disease is becoming more prevalent in certain areas, be aware of what the tick population is like where you live.
- Ticks crawl around, they don’t jump or fly, and they can sometimes be hard to detect because they are so small. Before a meal they are smaller and are greyish/brown in colour. They tend to look like a lump on the skin and can be found anywhere on the body.
- They like to live in wooded areas, trees, bushes or tall grass.
- Perform a ‘tick check’ once you return indoors from being out in any wooded or tall grassy area.
- Prevention is key! Now is the time to use Veterinary approved products to prevent and kill ticks.
Call us today & book an appointment with a technician for an Accuplex blood test to analyze your dog for Lyme and Heartworm disease. Our Doctors can then choose an appropriate parasitic preventative suited best for you and your pet!