TICKS
In Idaho, spring and early summer is definitely tick season.
However, ticks are around and may be found on your dog through the
end of fall. Taking your dog to the Boise foothills or among sage brush
will increase your dog's exposure. It is important to check your pets
regularly during tick season.
Lifecycle
Ticks are not insects like fleas, but arachnids like mites, spiders and
scorpions. They have a four-stage life cycle: eggs, larvae, nymphs,
and adults. Adult females of some species lay about 100 eggs at a
time. Others lay 3,000 to 6,000 eggs per batch. Six-legged larvae
hatch from the eggs. After at least one blood meal, the larvae molt into
eight-legged nymphs--in some species, more than once. Finally
nymphs molt into adult males or females, also with eight
legs.
Depending on its species, a tick may take less than a year or up to
several years to go through its four-stage life cycle.
What Diseases Do Ticks Transmit?
Ticks may carry various infectious organisms that can transmit
diseases to cats and dogs:
How Do You Remove Ticks?
You can use tweezers to pull off the tick. Grasp the tick as close to the
skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out (don't twist or turn the tweezers)
in a steady motion. Once the tick has been removed, place it in a
container with alcohol. Flushing it down the toilet does not always kill the
tick. Do not smash or burn engorged ticks.
Do not apply any substances (alcohol, nail polish remover,
petroleum jelly) to the tick before removing it. Do not try to burn it out.
You should observe the area where the tick was attached for a couple
days. Any irritation or redness should resolve.
Prevention
If you have any questions about protecting your dog against
ticks and fleas, contact your veterinarian.
For more information about Frontline and ticks click on the link
below.
http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/sub8_faq.asp
In Idaho, spring and early summer is definitely tick season.
However, ticks are around and may be found on your dog through the
end of fall. Taking your dog to the Boise foothills or among sage brush
will increase your dog's exposure. It is important to check your pets
regularly during tick season.
Lifecycle
Ticks are not insects like fleas, but arachnids like mites, spiders and
scorpions. They have a four-stage life cycle: eggs, larvae, nymphs,
and adults. Adult females of some species lay about 100 eggs at a
time. Others lay 3,000 to 6,000 eggs per batch. Six-legged larvae
hatch from the eggs. After at least one blood meal, the larvae molt into
eight-legged nymphs--in some species, more than once. Finally
nymphs molt into adult males or females, also with eight
legs.
Depending on its species, a tick may take less than a year or up to
several years to go through its four-stage life cycle.
What Diseases Do Ticks Transmit?
Ticks may carry various infectious organisms that can transmit
diseases to cats and dogs:
- Babesiosis-- lethargy, appetite loss, weakness, pale gums
- Ehrlichiosis-- high fever, muscle aches
- Lyme disease-- lameness, swollen joints, fever, poor appetite,
fatigue, and vomiting (For more information on Lyme disease
visit the Center For Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.
gov/healthypets/diseases/lyme.htm) - Tick paralysis in dogs-- gradual paralysis, seen first as an
unsteady gait from uncoordinated back legs
How Do You Remove Ticks?
You can use tweezers to pull off the tick. Grasp the tick as close to the
skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out (don't twist or turn the tweezers)
in a steady motion. Once the tick has been removed, place it in a
container with alcohol. Flushing it down the toilet does not always kill the
tick. Do not smash or burn engorged ticks.
Do not apply any substances (alcohol, nail polish remover,
petroleum jelly) to the tick before removing it. Do not try to burn it out.
You should observe the area where the tick was attached for a couple
days. Any irritation or redness should resolve.
Prevention
- The best method (commonly overlooked) is avoidance. Walk
your dog along clear paths away from wooded areas during
peak tick season. Keep the brush and grasses short near your
property. - If your pets are highly exposed to ticks, ask your veterinarian for
a flea and tick preventative. Frontline is a liquid pesticide
(fipronil) applied on the dog or cat’s skin. For best results, part
the pet’s hair above the shoulder blades and apply the
Frontline directly on the skin. Avoid superficial application on the
pet’s hair. Fipronil collects in the oils of the skin and hair follicles
and continues to be released from hair follicles onto the skin
and coat.
If you have any questions about protecting your dog against
ticks and fleas, contact your veterinarian.
For more information about Frontline and ticks click on the link
below.
http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/sub8_faq.asp
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*For More Information Please Contact Your Vet!*
Disclaimer: Vista Animal Hospital makes sincere efforts to ensure the
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it.
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it.