Yes, dare I say it’s tick time already. Those nasty little blighters are out!
How do I know? – My Springer Spaniel… LJ!
Yesterday I found a huge tick on LJ’s neck. It took both myself and hubby to remove it. My hubby holds her still while I remove the tick. LJ wiggles a bit!! I then get the pleasure of squashing and popping it in between a piece of tissue and flushing the tick down the toilet. Happy days (gross but very satisfying).
Tick facts. Did you know…
- They are spider-like and have eight legs and an egg-shaped body. They start tiny (1mm) and increase as they feed to the size of a large pea/broad bean. Easily mistaken for a skin tag or lump. The colour can also change as they feed so look out for brown, pink purple or a blueish-grey colour.
- They feed on blood from dogs and humans!
- Found in long grass, woodland areas and areas with lots of wildlife/farm animals.
- They do not jump – that’s a flea! They do not fly either – they crawl or drop onto your dog’s fur when brushed off grass or leaves.
- They can transmit diseases such as Lymes disease – see below.
Removal of a tick:
- It’s important to remove it quickly and correctly.
- Remove using a Tick twisting tool, part the fur, slide/push the tool under the Tick, gently twist the tool until the tick comes free, check the tick to make sure the head is attached and destroy the tick (pop & flush or kill via alcohol). Never use your bare hands to squash as ticks carry diseases.
- I personally then spray a liberal amount of Leucillin spray (a non-toxic, non-irritant antiseptic spray) over the area.
- Ensure you do not squeeze the body and/or leave the head attached to your dog as this can increase the chance of your dog getting poorly.
Prevention:
- Use a Tick treatment that repels or kills the ticks regularly -especially during warmer months. These can be spot on or via tablet form. (Be careful what you select as some are toxic to cats)
- Check your pooch frequently – especially after walks in the areas mentioned above. We don’t need many excuses to fuss all over their furry bodies, do we? Pay attention to head/neck, ears, armpits, legs/paws, groin and tummy areas.
- You cannot contract Lyme disease from your dog but you can from a tick – so make sure you check yourself and your dogs after a walk.
Lyme Disease (Borreliosis) in dogs:
- Most common tick-borne illness in the world.
- It is a bacterial infection.
- Signs are redness, swelling or signs of infection around the area the tick was removed from.
- Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, fever, lameness, swollen & painful joints, swollen lymph nodes and lethargy.
- If unnoticed can cause kidney failure or even be fatal.
So if you suspect Lyme disease, then don’t delay and contact your vet. It is treatable so better safe than sorry.
As always thanks for reading, and be safe in that long grass.
Namaste
Lou xx