The snow is gone and dog owners beware! This year, Fredericton can expect another increase in the tick population. According to the research of Dr. Vett Lloyd at Mount Allison University, rates of infected ticks in NB are as high as 13%.
These small biting arachnids (related to scorpions, spiders and mites) feed on the blood of animals, infecting both people and pets with Lyme disease which often leads to lameness. Dogs have a 50% greater chance of becoming infected than humans but their symptoms are less obvious. They don’t show the same bull’s eye rash around the bite as humans but they may show spontaneous and shifting leg lameness that lasts 3–4 days, sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite and depression; reluctance to move; and fatigue.
How To Test
Thankfully, your Veterinarian has blood tests available to screen for Lyme disease. If your dog has a positive test result, this indicates your dog’s exposure to ticks and allows your veterinarian to advise you regarding further testing and prevention. If your dog does get sick, the infection can often be controlled by timely administration of an antibiotic such as doxycycline.
Prevention
Preventing Lyme disease in the first place is easiest and most effective. You can apply a topical treatment each month which kills ticks that may land on your pet. Other preventions include avoiding areas where ticks are known to reside, tick removal, topicals, collars and vaccines. Speak to your veterinarian about the preventatives available.
Tick Season in NB
Tick season in New Brunswick tends to be during April/May and September/October. With the chance of a dog encountering ticks being higher this year, it is important to be aware and know what to do with these little beasties! Remember to inspect your dog for ticks daily. If you find a tick, check out Dogs and Ticks for proper removal procedures. Call your veterinarian for assistance and to schedule a follow-up visit.
Video: How to Remove a Tick Click Here
No comments:
Post a Comment