Find out what you need to know about Ticks, how to remove ticks
and diseases they are associated with
Don't Let Ticks Ruin Your Dog's Good Time!
Carolyn Schweitzer
Nobody likes ticks.
In fact, when it comes to ticks I can't think of a single
redeeming quality.
While you may see the occasional ant farm or flea circus, the
tick competes with the cockroach on the "likeability" scale!
Here's what you need to know to defeat them and prevent them from
spoiling you and your dog's Summer fun...
What Makes a Tick "Tic"?
Did you know that ticks aren't insects? They belong to the same
family as spiders (arachnids). That may explain why we humans
find them especially unappealing!
The fact that it behaves like a tiny vampire makes the tick even
more detestable. Technically, a tick is a blood sucking mite that
can expand 20 to 100 times it's size as it feeds. (Gross). And
ticks can spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever,
making them potentially lethal.
Ticks use their sharp mouth pieces to attach themselves to your
dog's skin. Their favorite spots are the head, neck, ears, or
feet. The scariest thing about them is the fact that ticks can go
unnoticed.
Tiny as they are, they can attach themselves to you or your dog
without being seen or felt. And especially if your dog has a dark
coat, ticks will often continue to go unnoticed until they're
well engorged with blood.
At that point, you still may not see them, but you'll certainly
feel them by running your fingers or a fine toothed comb through
your dog's coat. (I still remember finding one on our black
poodle when I was a child. It looked like a small school bus, so
I can only imagine how long it had been there! )
The Spring and Summer months are when ticks are most prevalent,
but any time your dog has been in a heavily wooded area, she
should be checked. Ticks like wooded, grassy, and damp areas
best.
Two types of ticks are most commonly found on dogs--the brown dog
tick and the American dog tick. But deer ticks and western
black-legged ticks will feed on dogs too. Of course, the tick was
captured before having a chance to feed. The average tick begins
it's adventures approximately the size of a sesame seed. After
making a meal of your dog's (or your) blood, it may reach the
size of a small grape! ( I swear, the one I saw looked like a
school bus...)
Aside from the risk of contracting Lyme disease or spotted fever
from ticks, there's another concern: Too many ticks feeding on a
single dog can cause severe anemia or a condition called tick
paralysis.
Does and Don'ts of Tick Removal
A tick can be spotted fairly easily against a background of pink
skin or a light colored coat. Check your dog all over, but
especially around the head and neck, ears and paws. Against dark
skin and coats, ticks virtually disappear, so you'll have to feel
for them. Another option is to run a fine-toothed comb or flea
comb through your dog's coat to loosen ticks that haven't
"latched on" yet.
Please pay special attention to the following:
* Don't use your bare hands. Latex gloves will protect you from
from the tiny organisms that live on ticks and spread disease.
* Do grasp the tick with a tweezers or forceps by the head and pull
slowly but firmly, taking care not to leave any of it in the
skin.
* Do clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol and apply antibiotic
ointment.
* Don't hold a lit match to the tick or try to smother it with
chemicals like kerosene or petroleum jelly. At best, you'll
irritate your dog's skin and at worst burn it. The tick won't bat
an eye.
* Do drop ticks into rubbing alcohol to kill them Don't attempt to
flush a live tick down the toilet or drain, or throw it in the
waste basket. It may crawl back out. (The thought of that gives
me the willies!!)
How to Avoid and Prevent ticks
Control and prevention of ticks is especially important in
avoiding diseases associated with them.
What areas should you avoid? Wooded areas, tall grass, low brush,
and damp areas are all attractive to ticks. They also are found
in greater numbers in areas such as the Northeastern United
States. No place is completely safe, though, since a person or
animal can "give ticks a ride" from one place to another by
carrying them on their skin, clothing or coats.
In parts of the country where the tick population is especially
heavy and the risk of Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted
fever especially great, your vet may suggest your dog be
vaccinated against ticks. Weigh the pros and cons with your vet
if that's what he or she recommends.
There are plenty of products on the market designed to repel
and/or kill ticks. (Never use tick products designed for dogs on
a cat -- it could kill her). Personally, I like all natural
products for controlling fleas and ticks. All conventional
products designed to kill/repel fleas and ticks are poisons of
one kind or another, and can pose some risk to your pet. Garlic
tablets, herbal shampoos, and botanical oils are among your
choices. There's also a spray to relieve hot spots and irritated
skin.
No more ticks!
At last, you and your pet can stay healthy and tick-free. Your dog
will sure be glad you took the time to read up on ticks!
Remember, natural products help your pets fight parasites better
by keeping them strong, healthy, and toxin-free!
© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper,
and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor
of Great-Dog-Gift.com where she offers a wide range of choices
for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also
advice on dog care and feeding.)
Visit the site to view the full illustrated article and learn
where to find natural tick control products
http://www.great-dog-gift.com/ticks.html
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