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