March is National Tick Awareness Month
Spring has officially sprung so it’s time to talk about ticks! Ottawa is an endemic zone for ticks and they do pose a threat to our pets’ health year-round. Ticks transmit several diseases with the most prevalent in our area being Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis.
Annual Accuplex blood testing helps give us peace of mind that our pets have not contracted these potentially dangerous diseases, and allows for earlier, more effective treatment if they have.
If you’ve found a tick on your pet, call us to arrange the Accuplex blood test to screen for exposure to these infections.
This is a friendly reminder to call us today to order your pet’s year-round tick prevention. You can reach us at 613-822-6009.
Canada hosts a wide variety of tick species that feed on blood from wildlife, humans and our pets.
Ticks become active at temperatures above 4 degrees. With the mild winter this year there have been a lot of days warm enough for ticks to be out looking for a blood meal, with many more to come.
Do You Know How to Properly Check Your Pet for Ticks?
It’s important to look for ticks on your pet after they have spent time outdoors, especially if they have been to parks, hiking trails, wooded areas or through tall grass.
Check out this video to learn how to remove a tick if you find one
Remember to monitor your pet for several weeks post tick bite for any signs of tick-borne illness like…
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Intermittent lameness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Lethargy
Remember, routine preventative medications are available to protect your pet from ticks and the diseases they carry.
Call us today to ask about preventatives such as Nexgard Spectra, or to book your pet for an Accuplex blood screening test. Now is also a good time to check that your pet’s Lyme vaccine is up to date. 613-822-6009
Visit the:
Canadian Pet Tick Tracker website & Tick Talk Canada website for more information.