Safety: Ticks and Diseases
For many people, finding a tick latched onto their leg or between their dog’s eyes is enough to put a damper on a trip to the woods. With recent publicity given to the threat of Lyme disease, people’s fears have intensified, and some are afraid to visit the forest.
How do Dogs get Fleas and Ticks?
Fleas infect dogs after being in an environment where flea populations can flourish, such as outdoors in shady leafy debris, underneath decks, or indoors where fleas can live in carpet fibers.
According to the United States Forest Service, weather conditions have the most significant effect on the density of ticks. After a mild winter, tick populations are incredibly high.
Ticks are worse in early spring when adults who have over-wintered start moving around looking for a host to feed on. Eggs from the previous year begin to hatch as well.
Ticks are open about their hosts. Any warm-blooded host will do. They climb up in the brush and wait for a host to happen by. They attach themselves to the host and suck the host’s blood, feeding until they’re full (6-13 days), then drop off and lay eggs.
Incredibly, some ticks can survive up to two years between feedings. A female tick lays from 4,000-6,000 eggs. After the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae, or seed ticks, find hosts and feed just as the adults do. The larvae of some types of ticks are almost invisible to the human eye, but hundreds can feed on one person, resulting in painful itching and allergic reactions in some people. In most species, the larvae feed only on small mammals and are not a problem for humans.
Why are Fleas and Ticks Dangerous to my dog and me?
Fleas commonly cause tapeworm infections and skin infections (flea allergy dermatitis). In contrast, over 300 species of ticks can carry different diseases. Some diseases, such as Lyme Disease, can affect pets, livestock, and people.
Flea and tick-borne diseases can also be zoonotic, meaning they can spread infection to humans. Preventing them from infecting your pet also helps keep you healthy.
Preventatives are medications designed to deter fleas and ticks from biting your dog. They come in a variety of easy-use dosages and forms.
Dog Flea and Tick Prevention
There are many different options for products all at various monthly pricepoints. Note how each type works and determine what fits within your budget. There are topical and collar options to repel and deter fleas and ticks. Some topical options will not repel or deter tick attachment, so you may still see ticks on your dog. They work to kill the tick after a certain amount of time. Oral preventatives also do not prevent tick attachment but have a relatively fast kill time. The kill time is vital because diseases can spread if the tick remains attached and alive too long. For example, it takes at least 1-2 days before bacteria causing Lyme disease can spread to a dog. Other oral preventatives prevent heartworm, kill fleas and ticks, and also control roundworm and hookworm. We recommend you discuss options with your Veterinarian to find a solution right for you and your dog.
Human Flea and Tick Prevention
Several commercial insect repellants work well on humans. The United States Forest Service recommends using a repellant containing DEET or PERMETHRIN, which is most effective on ticks. In areas of high tick infestation, you must apply it every 2-3 hours.
Another proven method of repelling ticks is to sprinkle sulfur on your socks, boots, and pant legs. Tying or taping your pant legs tight around your ankles so the ticks can’t crawl up inside your pants, and tucking in your shirt is also recommended. It won’t reduce the ticks you might get, but it will make them easier to spot and remove.
One other suggestion is to wear light-colored clothing, which makes the ticks easier to spot. Be sure to wash all clothing promptly to kill any remaining ticks. Visitors to recreation areas are also encouraged to stay on mowed trails where the chance of picking up ticks is much less.
Avoiding Areas Prone to Fleas and Ticks
Ticks will congregate where they have a high chance of finding a host or close to where they hatched as larvae. In addition to using preventative treatments on your dog, humans should avoid high-traffic areas, including cow paths in pastures and deer paths in the woods. Also, avoid tall grass and thick brush.
If your pets roam into areas where they are likely to pick up ticks, routinely check them for ticks to reduce the chances of your pets bringing ticks into your home and yard.
How to Dislodge a Tick
Once embedded, the recommended method of removing the tick is to pull it straight out with tweezers. Grasp the tick close to its head with tweezers and pull firmly. Apply antiseptic to the bite. Removing a tick within 36 hours of it becoming embedded will lessen the chance of disease transmission. You can save the tick in a vial labeled with the date and location of the bite for future reference. Later, if medical attention is needed, the type of tick has some bearing on the kind of disease it might be carrying.
When to Seek Medical Care
If the bite looks suspicious, you should see your local physician. Symptoms of Lyme Disease include a red or pink rash or a bump near the area bitten, which expands in size and may become as large as 10-15 inches in diameter. A blood test confirms Lyme disease, and the progression of the disease can be helped with proper treatment.
Conclusion
Fleas and ticks are active at different times in various states, and are typically more active during the summer months. Ticks are more resilient than fleas and can survive some areas year-round, where fleas need at least 40-degrees or above to thrive. We hope these tips help prepare you and your dog for the spring flea and tick season, and help keep you safe from contracting diseases from fleas and ticks year-round. As always, consult your Veterinarian to find a product suitable for your dog’s size and needs.
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Source: (www.fs.usda.gov)
