Tick Time!- What you need to KNow

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   Tick season is gearing up now that the weather is getting nicer and our pets want to be outside more just like us.  It is important for to understand the risks ticks. 
  Tick bites on both pets and humans can lead to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which cause very dangerous and uncomfortable symptoms such as anemia, arthritis and even paralysis. Understandably ticks are something we want to avoid at all costs.  Let's go over some facts about ticks.
   Ticks are ectoparasites, which means they live by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They attach by inserting their mouthparts into the skin. Many ticks additionally secrete a sticky substance that keeps them attached.  Where ticks attach themselves, the spots can become red and irritated, but that might be hard to see on animals depending on their fur and skin color.
   Let's talk about prevention
​  The best way to keeps ticks off your pets is with preventions, because even indoor only pets can still come in contact with those creepy crawlers. We recommend a prescription medicine prevent both ticks and fleas. (examples of such are Credelio, Bravecto, or the Seresto collar.  There are many to choose from)
   How do we remove them?
What happens if even after all your attempts to prevent ticks and you still find one on your pet? Don't just pull them off by hand or burn them. Instead, use fine tipped tweezers placed close to the skin. Carefully pinch the tick's head with the tweezers, and without twisting , pull it straight out. Be careful not to crush or squeeze the tick's body. which can accidentally cause the tick's bacteria-filled body to get into your pet's bloodstream. 
  Once the tick has been removed, place it in a jar of insecticide or rubbing alcohol. 
   Don't flush the tick down the toilet or sink, as they can survive water. 
   Because ticks can carry so many diseases, wearing gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after handling ticks. 
  After removing a tick, clean the area with an antiseptic. The bite area may itch, causing your pet to scratch or chew at it, so continue to watch the area to make sure it doesn't become infected or abscessed. 
   Continue to monitor your pet after you remove the tick from the skin because symptoms of tick borne diseases may not show up for several days or even weeks. Watch for fever, loss of appetite, lethargy or any stiffness in the limbs. 
  We have been seeing an increase of Lyme disease in this area the past few years. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected backlegged deer tick. 
​  Lyme disease causes a rash looks like a bull's-eye, and causes flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and joint pain and weakness in the limb. 
 Rocky Mountain Spotted fever cause, fever, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, muscles pain, lack of appetite.
   Contact your doctor if you have been bitten and are having any of these symptoms.

 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever rash                                 Lyme disease rash