Spring is Here… Ticks Are Back!

With warmer weather on its way, we want to make sure we are on top of our pets’ prevention for the year. When we reach a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or higher the ticks are out and actively looking for a host. Let not let that be your pet!

Black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks) live in woodlands, tall grass and bushes. Ticks can transfer Lyme disease through biting. Although not all deer ticks carry Lyme disease, it can be transferred to humans and our animals.

When a tick bites, it numbs the affected area of the host. The tick will then channel its saliva into the host while channelling the host’s blood into the tick. Ticks must be properly removed from our pets as to not let any parts be left behind. Ticks must also not be crushed or squished, as this will release pathogens from the tick. It is always best to bring your pet to the vet so it can be properly removed.

Upon removing the tick, we are able to send it off for testing to see if it was carrying any tick born diseases. We always recommend the pet come back 4 weeks later for blood work to test the pet for any diseases as well.

It is so easy to be on top of this and protect our pets with the use of Bravecto. Bravecto is a flavoured chew that protects your pet for 12 weeks! Which is longer than any other prevention medication. By protecting our ticks with Bravecto, we are stopping the chance of ticks transferring Lyme disease. With the use of prevention, the ticks will die off after an hour. It takes them 12 hours to transfer any tick born disease.