It’s that time of year again and the ticks are coming out, Is your pet protected?

Ticks are skin parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. The bite itself is not usually painful, but the parasites can transmit diseases. The usual time we see ticks in our area is February through October especially if we had a mild winter. The most common ones we see are the Brown Dog ticks, however there are several other varieties around the states.

Before going camping, hunting, or whatever else there are ways to prevent this problem;

1. Use a topical tick preventative which your Veterinary clinic should carry.

2. Use tick spray which you can usually get at your Veterinary clinic.

3. Keep the grass cut short and the brush trimmed back.

4. Keep your pets kennel and bedding clean, especially if it’s outdoors.

5. Checking your pet by running your hands over their whole body, ticks particularly like the face, muzzle and ears.

If you find a tick, there are safe ways on removing them, but if your not sure give your Veterinary clinic a call and they can help you.

Lisa