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Tick, Tick, Tock
Troubling Ticks Ticks are attracted to motion, warm temperatures, and carbon dioxide that your pet exhales. Ticks cannot jump or fly, so they hop on board and climb onto objects like fences or vegetation. They wait around for a human or animal to walk by so they can drop onto an unwitting host and hitch a ride. Ticks can carry different diseases depending on the area of the country you live in, so ask your veterinarian which ticks are prevalent in your local area so you can be knowledgeable and prepared. After finding a host, they take a bite! A tick bite is painless and your dog probably won’t even feel it. The bite can transfer disease or the bite site can become infected. If this happens, your veterinarian can help stop the infection with oral antibiotics. A topical antibiotic may not be enough because the infection could spread through the pet’s body making it much harder to treat. So always check with a veterinarian if your dog has been a victim of a tick bite. Tick Facts
Keeping Ticks Away from Your Dog One of the best ways to avoid encountering ticks is to avoid walks in the woods during prime flea and tick season. Keep the grass, trees, and brush in your yard trimmed. Talk to your veterinarian about which of the preventive products is best suited to your geographic area and the age of your dog. These products discourage ticks from biting your dog. Always check with your vet before using them. Some products are designed to be used on adult animals ONLY. The new generation of preventive products is highly effective at keeping ticks away. You should never use more that one product at a time. Insecticide sprays intended for use on clothing and/or humans should NEVER be used on your dog. Note: NEVER use any products labeled for dogs on cats. Cats are sensitive to a number of drugs because their livers are unable to metabolize them. Your vet can advise you on the best way to protect cats. Remove Ticks Safely from Your Dog After your animal spends time outdoors, check them very carefully for ticks, especially in hard-to-reach places. Ticks like to hide in warm areas, so be sure to check folds of skin, under the arms, between the toes, and within the ears, etc. Keep in mind that ticks are very tiny – some are as small as the head of a needle pin. If you find a tick on your dog, don’t panic. Try to remove the tick as soon as possible. For safe removal, avoid touching the tick. Dab a little rubbing alcohol on the tick, use tweezers to grab hold of it, and pull slowly and steadily. Try not to leave the tick’s mouthparts embedded in your dog’s skin. Note: Tossing the tick down the sink or toilet may allow it to survive and crawl out, so first place the tick in alcohol to make sure that that you have killed it. If you have a hard time removing the tick, or are unsure how to remove it properly, contact your vet. By taking a few simple and straight forward precautions and checking with your veterinarian, you will be able to keep your pets tick-free all around the clock! By taking a few simple and straight forward precautions and checking with your veterinarian, you will be able to keep your pets tick-free all around the clock! ©Pet Articles 2004 - 2006
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During the summer, dogs spend more time outdoors.
While this is healthy for most dogs, it is important to realize that while
you and your best friend are enjoying the sun and fresh air, there are
bugs and parasites that can bite your dog and make your dog sick. That
doesn’t mean you have to keep your dog locked up inside, however-taking a
few precautions before you head out can help these pests stay away. One
of these pests, the tick, is not only a nuisance but can also carry
diseases that can hurt or harm your dog. One of the best ways to deal
with ticks is to prevent them from getting on your dog in the first
place. Today, it is much easier than it used to be to keep ticks away
from dogs.|
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