Ticks are an external parasite that can affect many animals accross the world, including dogs, cats, wildlife and farm animals. In the United Kingdom and Europe, the 'Ixodes' species are the most common.
In the UK, our pets are most likely to be affected by ticks when surrounded by a large wildlife population, such as foxes and hedgehogs. Ticks are also common in rural areas, and may pose a risk to pets that are exercised in woodland, bracken-covered areas and on moorland. Ticks can often be mistaken for growths and warts, and may appear as a grey, brown or cream coloured nodule attached to the animal. There may be multiple ticks, or just one.
The tick imbeds its mouthparts in the animal's skin, they transfer their saliva into their host animal and remove blood. The size of the tick's body increases as it fills with the blood meal from the animal host.Lyme Disease is a tick borne infection that affects birds and mammals, including humans, dogs and cats. in dogs, the symptoms can occur 2-5 months after the tick bite infection.Signs of Lyme Disease include:
Fever
Lameness
Swelling of the joints
Malaise
Reduced appetite.
In severe cases, animals may develop progressive kidney failure, neurological illnesses and heart problems. It is also worth considering that pets travelling abroad under the pet travel scheme may be affected by ticks and tick bourne infections that are not present in the UK. Dogs that are travelling abroad should be treated with veterinary approved treatments that prevent ticks, fleas, and even sandflies, all of which may transmit potentially life threatening illnesses to your travelling dog.
As well as tick borne infections, there is a risk of local bacterial infection at the site of the tick bite, and if the animal is affected by a heavy tick burden, anaemia may occur.A tick must be removed with extreme care, as the imbedded mouthparts may remain in the animal if they are simply pulled off. This is likely to result in a skin infection at the site of the tick bite. It is also important to remove the tick intact, as pathogens may be present within the body of the tick.
The most ideal method of dealing with the tick is to present your pet to your veterinary surgeon for assessment and treatment to prevent tick burden.There are some treatments available to help deal with ticks. Frontline Combo Spot On and Advantix are both prescription treatments which are available as a preventative method of tick control. Frontline Spray, which is also prescription, may then be used to kill ticks directly on impact. Further advice should be sought from your veterinary surgeon about any of these treatments and their uses. To find out more about tick control products, use the following links:
Frontline Combo Cat
Frontline Combo Dog
Advantix |
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