Ticks are spider-like parasites that feed on the blood of mammals.

Ticks are common in the UK, especially in the Spring and Autumn. They are usually found in long grass or woodland where they wait for a passing animal (or person!) to climb on to. The tick bites the animal, staying attached for several days and feeding on the animal’s blood before dropping off.

Ticks aren’t immediately dangerous for your pets, but if left untreated they can transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease, Anaplasma, and Babesia. Tick-borne disease is on the rise in the UK, so prevention is more important than ever.

Check your pet regularly

It may be difficult to spot a tick when it first bites you or your pet:

They may be only a millimetre or two long. As the tick feeds it’s body will grow, making it easier to spot. When checking your pet pay special attention to their head, ears and legs, as these are the most common places
for ticks to attach.

Check any lumps closely. Not sure if it’s a tick? Look for tiny legs near the base where it’s attached to the skin! If you find a tick on your pet it is important to remove it… carefully!

When a tick attaches for a feed it buries it’s mouthparts into the skin. If these are left behind when the tick is removed then it can cause pain, infection, and swelling.

The safest way to remove a tick is to use a tick hook to gently twist and release the tick. Then dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or sink.

Tick hooks are available from pet shops, online, or in your veterinary practice. NEVER try and burn a tick or use alcohol to remove it from your pet. This can cause injury and make things worse.

Once you’ve removed the tick keep a close eye on the wound: Keep it clean and dry while it heals. If your pet is unwell after having a tick bite then contact your vet practice for help

Using regular anti-tick treatments in your pets will help reduce their risk of tick-borne
disease.

No product can stop a tick from biting and attaching to your pet. However, ticks need to be attached for several days before they can transmit infections such as Lyme disease. So the key is to ensure that the tick will DIE and drop off before it has the chance to TRANSMIT DISEASE When used correctly most anti-tick treatments kill ticks within twenty four hours.

Tick prevention for your pets can be given as a spot-on treatment or a tablet. The best product to use will depend on your pets’ lifestyle so have a chat with your vet or vet nurse to decide what will work the best for you.

LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia. It is transmitted by ticks and can infect people, dogs, cats and horses. Not every tick in the UK carries Lyme disease but prevalence has been increasingin the UK, with higher frequency in the north and south of England and in Scotland.

In people the classic symptom of Lyme disease is a bullseye rash, but this isn’t generally recognised in dogs and cats. Dogs with Lyme disease may show joint pain and swelling (often affecting multiple limbs), swollen glands, fever and lethargy. In severe cases dogs may develop neurological or kidney disease.

Symptoms are similar in cats but may be more subtle or difficult to recognise.

If your vet suspects that your pet may have Lyme disease then they can run a blood test to check for infection.

Treatment requires antibiotics, often for several weeks.

It is important to use regular tick prevention in your pets, and to check them regularly for ticks. If you find a tick remove it promptly and monitor your pet for signs of illness. If you are concerned then speak to your vet.

INFO

• Ticks can sense body heat, breath and vibrations from movement to help them find a host from which to
  feed.
• Ticks can’t fly or jump. They wait on a stem or twig for a host to pass by, then they grab hold with their front legs and climb onto the animal.

• Tick saliva contains anti-inflammatory molecules which stop the host animal from feeling the tick’s bite.

• Ticks will stay in place while they feed, increasing their body weight by up to 600 times their pre-feeding weight.