The dreaded Ticks will be making their appearance any time now as the weather warms up and the snow melts away. It’s time to start thinking about tick prevention, but what should you use?
How to Deal with Ticks!
When it comes to Ticks, prevention is the best option. That can mean different things for different people. Some prefer to use Tick treatments that are ingested such as those prescribed by a Vet including NexGard, Bravecto, etc. There are also topical treatments that are absorbed through the skin such as Advantage, Revolution, Frontline, etc. Both the chewable and spot-on treatments act as neurotoxins which are meant to kill the Tick once it has bitten/attached. These can be useful for those that are dealing with a lot of Ticks, have outdoor dogs or livestock guardian dogs, in areas with Lyme disease, or for those looking for a medication-type solution. Some pet boarding facilities, grooming salons and doggy daycares also require that dogs visiting their facility be on a Tick medication during the peak season. Tick medications can work great but use with caution and research the kind you plan to use as some dogs can have bad side effects using these!
Other prevention options can include avoiding areas where Ticks tend to “hang out” such as grassy and wooded areas in peak season which is often sometime between April and September depending on where you live in Canada. There are also more natural options that can include drops like Tick Mix or sprays like Citrobug. These usually need to be applied more frequently and often include ingredients such as Neem Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar and different Essential Oils. These can help prevent Ticks from attaching in the first place as the Ticks find the ingredients ‘un-appetizing’. Always be cautious of what you are spraying/applying to your pet and follow directions on the container and watch for reactions. Another option for sprays is to only put the spray on a bandana or neck gaiter your pet wears for outings then remove when indoors so your pet isn’t surrounded by the smell of the spray all day and night.
If you live on an acreage or farm, guinea fowl are great for Tick control but not everyone has that option and they can also be pretty noisy creatures.
Whether you’re using a medicated option or more natural option it’s best to check your dogs multiple times a day during peak season.
What to Do When You Find a Tick Attached to Your Pet (or You!)
Many people are squeamish of Ticks and can you blame them? Ticks are pretty gross! When you find a Tick attached to your pet, or yourself, the best thing to do is use a tool, one made for Ticks or a pair of tweezers. It’s important to hook on, or grab the Tick as close to where it is attached and pull straight out (don’t squeeze it and try not to twist it). You want to make sure you remove the whole Tick and don’t accidentally rip the head off and leave that behind as it can cause an infection to start.
If you can catch and remove Ticks within the first 12 hours of them attaching you greatly reduce the transfer of any type of disease, plus they are small and much easier to remove. The longer they are attached the bigger they get and once removed they tend to leave a bigger wound when removed which will scab over and heal in time but is likely more itchy and uncomfortable! After removing a Tick that has been there for a little while you can apply a healing balm of some sorts to help reduce itching, such as SaskPets Paw, Nose & Wound Balm – it has Calendula infused Olive Oil which is healing and soothing.
As you can see in the picture below, the small tick is one found that had just barely attached, and the other one that has been attached for a few days. The engorged Tick was much harder to remove. Disgusting but also a bit fascinating that their body can expand so much!
Ticks are unfortunately part of life for many of us this time of year. It’s best to be prepared and focus on prevention in whatever way(s) that work best for you and your pet(s).