Veterinarians are alerting pet owners in a region to be watchful and act to avoid ticks as indications of the potentially threatening insects are beginning to show on animals this spring.

Early Tick Activity Worries Owners

One pet owner has indicated that she found a large quantity of ticks on her dog after recent outings, removing several of the parasites with each occasion. “We’ve always had them, but I’d say in the past couple years it’s been worse,” the owner said, indicating an increasing trend among local pet owners.

Certain Ticks and Disease: An Emerging Threat

The most concern is with a particular tick species, otherwise referred to as deer ticks, which have the ability to harbor the bacteria responsible for causing a dangerous disease in both animals and people. These ticks have been on the rise in the area and are now prevalent, thus making prevention and awareness critical.

Local Insect Specialist Confirms Lots of Ticks Present

One of the residents who has dogs has also discovered ticks on his animals this spring, although so far none have been determined to be the dangerous variety. This resident, an insect specialist, points out that ticks are present all over the area. He warns that there is a greater risk of exposure to ticks for anyone who has dogs to walk or spends time outdoors, impacting both the animal and the owner.

This specialist described how, although one kind of tick is most frequently discovered on dogs locally, another kind is more likely to pass on disease. He also noted that “the most common places, though, to find ticks are near the edges of paths where the grass or other plants are longer.”

Expert Advice: Prevention and Taking Them Off Quickly are Key

Animal specialists emphasize that efficient tick prevention encompasses two key things: thoroughly checking pets for ticks after they’ve been outdoors and taking preventative medicine as prescribed by a veterinarian.

One director of a regional animal hospital stressed the need to remove any attached tick within 24 hours with the use of a pair of tweezers. “Take hold down close to your pet’s skin and pull it out,” she taught, cautioning against outdated methods such as applying certain solutions or twisting the tick. She suggested dropping removed ticks in a sealed bag for possible identification if necessary.

This director admitted that it is nearly impossible to totally avoid ticks and reported a rise in the number of canine patients testing positive for the disease transmitted by the lethal tick at her practice.

Veterinarian Calls for Taking Precaution to Guard Against Ticks

Diagnosing the disease in animals is usually more difficult than in humans, and it involves a blood test since conditions such as stiffness and painful joints may not be as clear-cut as the rash in humans. This director highly recommends talking to your veterinarian about proper tick protection as a pet owner.

“I don’t want to sound dramatic, but it really is pretty likely that if you have a dog and you’re taking them for a walk, they’re going to encounter ticks,” this director cautioned. She said that there are medications that can be prescribed by veterinarians that will kill ticks while they feed and stop the transmission of disease-causing bacteria.

While recognizing the expense of vet care, this director emphasized that the price of preventing tick-borne diseases is generally a lot lower than treating them once they have taken hold. She encouraged pet owners to talk to their vets about preventative measures in order to protect their precious pets from these potentially deadly parasites.

Also read: Spring Pet Safety: Hidden Hazards to Watch Out For