Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Unfed adult female blacklegged ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length; and are red and brown in colour; while adult males are smaller than females and are uniformly brown in colour. (SUBMITTED)
If you haven’t seen any yet, it probably won’t be a long wait before one shows up for a visit.
The ticks are out, and they are showing up all over town!
Manitoba Health recently announced that an increase in blacklegged tick populations have been identified in southern Manitoba. These ticks carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.
Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs and cats are different from the symptoms that occur in people. Symptoms may not develop for several months, and can include things like high fever, lameness, swelling of the joints, swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite and lethargy.
In many cases, sudden or shifting lameness and fever are the key indicators. Lyme disease is not treated unless symptoms are present, and often antibiotics are successful in treating Lyme disease in dogs and cats.
Blacklegged ticks are generally found in wooded areas and tend to prefer areas that are higher in humidity, such as river banks.
These ticks prefer areas with tall grass or dense vegetation, as they do not jump or fly. Instead they drop into people or animals that brush against the greenery.
As a result of their preferred habitat, blacklegged ticks often feed on deer — which is where their common name, the "deer tick", comes from.
It is extremely important to check your pets for ticks to ensure they are removed right away. Studies show that the transmission of the bacteria will not occur if ticks are removed within 48 hours. This makes quick removal of ticks key in preventing Lyme disease.
Fortunately, research indicates that only about 10 per cent of dogs bitten by ticks carrying the disease remain attached long enough to transmit the bacteria. With the increasing blacklegged tick population, it is important to be aware that the risk is increasing and to take steps to ensure prompt tick removal.
Tick control solutions are a very effective preventative option, and are highly recommended if your dog spends lots of time in areas where ticks are prevalent.
The once-a-month topical medications, such as Revolution, can be very effective. Monthly oral medications, like Capstar, also have great reported results.
Both of the aforementioned medications are available for cats and dogs — but beware that there are a number of tick medications that are dangerous for cats! If you have multiple pets, be sure to consult with your vet to ensure your tick prevention solution does not put any of your pets at risk.
While tick prevention solutions usually work quite well, there are still no guarantees that these pests will be eliminated completely. Be sure to examine your dog regularly, paying particular attention to the areas around the ears, under the armpits and around the collar. Ticks can be found anywhere on the body, but they can show up just about anywhere.
While blacklegged ticks are carriers of the Lyme disease bacteria, there are other tick-borne diseases that other types of ticks can transmit.
Remember, preventative tick treatment and prompt removal will greatly reduce the risk to your pets.
Areas where these tick populations have been established can be viewed on a map on the Manitoba government website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/lyme/surveillance.html
Dana Grove is an animal lover who works with several pet organizations in Brandon.
» communitynews@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition May 24, 2012
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If you haven’t seen any yet, it probably won’t be a long wait before one shows up for a visit.
The ticks are out, and they are showing up all over town!
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If you haven’t seen any yet, it probably won’t be a long wait before one shows up for a visit.
The ticks are out, and they are showing up all over town!
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