Pet owners in an area are being advised to exercise special caution against ticks this year after a local groomer reported an unusually high infestation of the parasites on their dog clients. A groomer in the area has sounded the alarm after experiencing what they say is an “alarming rate” of ticks already this year.

Early Warning Due to “Alarming Rate” of Ticks

With much experience in the pet grooming market, the observations of the groomer are worth a lot. Commenting through social media, the grooming company observed the worrying trend. “You didn’t used to see ticks all that often, but as the climate is changing, ticks are getting more common throughout the entire year, not only the usual tick or flea season,” the groomer said. To demonstrate the initial peak, the groomer said they only encountered around a certain small number of ticks throughout the entire year last year, while this year alone, they have already seen more ticks on dogs.

Fear of Black-Legged Ticks and Risk of Disease

The most important issue with the increase in ticks around the region is the commonality of the black-legged tick, or deer tick. As a recent local Public Health unit report, black-legged ticks have been progressively rising within the region. Alarmingly, this tick species is a known vector for a potentially hazardous bacterial infection that can infect dogs and humans alike.

Ticks Present Even in Urban Areas

The groomer also pointed out an important observation for local dog owners: some of the dogs with ticks hadn’t been venturing into typically high-risk areas such as heavily wooded forests or fields with tall grass. Rather, the ticks were being found on dogs living within the town itself, noting that the threat is not restricted to rural or wooded areas. This indicates that ticks are spreading and can even be found in well-maintained backyards.

Other groomers reinforcing previous Tick Season

Another groomer who works in a neighboring town echoed the sentiments of a previous tick season. Though they haven’t observed the same “alarming rate” as the initial groomer, they agreed that groomers have noticed they’ve been discovering them sooner this year and in significant numbers. Surprisingly, this second groomer added that ticks were often found on the faces, paws, and upper backs of dogs, only being visible during the blow-drying phase on longer-haired breeds.

Preventative Measures and Backyard Care Recommended

As tick populations are growing and emerging earlier in the season, both groomers highly recommend that dog owners speak with their veterinarians regarding proper tick and flea preventatives. These preventative products, in different types including chewable tablets, topical treatments, and collars, can greatly lower the chances of tick attachment and potential disease transmission.

Also, keeping backyards tick-resistant is important. This involves:

• Regular lawn mowing to keep grass short.
• Leaf litter and weed removal from garden beds and around fences.

Importance of Safe Removal of Ticks

If a tick is discovered on a dog (or human), safe removal is important to prevent the possibility of disease transmission. The local Public Health unit recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ensuring the head is not left behind, and then slowly pulling it straight out. Once removed, the tick should be placed in a sealed plastic bag for potential disease testing, as only live ticks can be accurately tested.

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Although there is no preventative medication or vaccine against this specific tick-borne illness in humans, precautions should be taken while entering areas where ticks are likely to be found. It involves the use of long-sleeved shirts and pants, staying on trails, and applying insect repellents with DEET or icaridin. The risk of getting infected is very small if a tick is promptly removed within a span of 24 hours from the time it has attached itself, highlighting the need for frequent tick inspections after being outdoors.

Vigilance and Veterinary Consultation Urged for Pet Owners

The initial rush of tick reports in the initial town is an urgent reminder for all pet owners within the area to be attentive, take precautionary measures, and inspect their furry friends for these potentially disease-transmitting parasites on a regular basis. A visit to a veterinarian concerning the most suitable action for the prevention of ticks is strongly advisable to guarantee local dogs’ health and safety.