It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up, and everybody and their pet wants to play outside. But there’s a tiny hidden danger outside; the tick. Hiding in the long grass, in the woods, or in a brush pile, they are waiting to finish their quest of latching onto you or your pet to feed.
Many people are aware of ticks and the fact that they can spread disease. However, not everybody realizes how hardy the tick is. The blacklegged tick (commonly known as the deer tick) is the little bugger that is responsible for spreading Lyme disease, and can be active anytime the temperature is above freezing. Although ticks are quite active in the summer, many people are surprised to learn that the highest peak in tick activity (when they are spreading the most disease) is actually in the spring and the fall.
You may ask, “What diseases do ticks spread? Why should we be concerned?” Here at Roseau County Veterinary Clinic, the most common diseases we encounter that are spread by ticks are Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. And yes, we do see these diseases even up here in the cold north. Over the years ticks have been expanding their range, and spreading more and more disease. These diseases can have similar signs such as lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or limping/stiffness that can shift from leg to leg. These diseases can vary from very mild symptoms to life threatening symptoms. For example, Lyme disease can cause kidney failure, resulting in death. Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis can cause bleeding problems from low platelets (clotting cells) or anemia (low red blood cells), which can also result in death.
Even though these diseases can be very serious, the good news is that there are things we can do to prevent them. Dogs can be vaccinated against Lyme disease. The vaccine unfortunately does not offer 100% protection, but it is a good vaccine that can prevent the disease, or at least lessen how severe the disease is. This vaccine is given yearly, and needs a booster the first time it is given.
Since Lyme disease isn’t the only disease that ticks spread, we also recommend using a flea/tick preventative. The most commonly used preventative that we offer at our clinic is called Bravecto. This is an oral (flavored treat) tablet that is given once every 12 weeks to prevent tick and flea infestations. We recommend using this year-round as any social dog is at risk for flea infestation any time of year, and people do seem to travel to warmer climates in the winter where ticks can still be active. However, if not used year-round, we recommend starting this medication in March, and continuing it until the temperatures are consistently below freezing (usually through November). If your dog has a food allergy, or there is some other reason you prefer not to use this oral flea/tick preventative, there are other preventatives on the market that can also work well. Some of these are topical medications that you put on your dog’s skin in between the shoulder blades once monthly. Although we do not carry every flea/tick preventative at our clinic, alternatives can be purchased through our online store.
If your dog is showing any of the signs of a tick-borne disease that we listed above, please bring them in to your veterinarian as soon as possible for testing. Although these diseases can be serious, they can also be treated with an antibiotic called doxycycline, and pets can do very well if diagnosed early enough.
They’re creepy. They make your skin crawl (you literally can feel them crawling on your skin). They want to feast on you and your pet. They spread disease. They’re ticks. Please contact us at 218-452-2117 if you have any concerns about ticks and the diseases they spread for your pet.
