Tick it off your list!

The arrival of spring means lots more time spent outdoors, which is great news for both people and pets. However, as trees and plants reawaken, so do all manner of bugs – some of which can be extremely harmful, such as disease-carrying ticks.

But what exactly are ticks? How do our pets get them? And why can they be dangerous?

“Ticks are related to spiders, mites and scorpions,” says Lyme Disease Action, which sounds rather ominous! “There are many different species of tick living in Britain, each preferring to feed on the blood of different animal hosts. They cannot jump or fly, but when ready for a meal will climb a nearby piece of vegetation and wait for a passing animal or human to catch their hooked front legs.”

Most commonly found in woodlands, grasslands, and heathlands, tick habitats also include parks and private gardens, especially those with shady shrubberies or deep vegetation.

So, what happens when these hungry hangers-on hitch a ride?

“The tick will not necessarily bite immediately but will often spend some time finding a suitable site on the skin, so it is important to brush off pets and clothing before going inside,” advises Lyme Disease Action, which shares information about Lyme disease – a serious condition that can be passed to humans by the bite of an infected tick.

Be aware of the dangers

And, just how dangerous are these teeny, tiny blood suckers, which can be as small as a poppy seed?

“Ticks feed on the blood of other animals. If a larval tick picks up an infection from a small animal such as a mouse, when it next feeds (as a nymph) it can pass the infection to the next animal or human it bites. Not all ticks carry disease, and infection rates in any one place may fluctuate from year to year,” explains Lyme Disease Action, which runs an annual Tick Bite Prevention Week each March.

However, the charity warns: “The risk of bacterial infections increases the longer the tick is attached but can happen at any time during feeding. Viruses can be passed immediately.” Yikes!

If you have pets, it’s always best to be prepared and know some basic pet first aid. Regular checks will help you spot if something’s not right, but would you know what to do in an emergency? >>

Because of the risk of nasty infections, it’s important that people with pets who spend time outdoors are tick aware. “We’re seeing many more ticks than before, possibly due to the warm, wet winters now common in the UK,” says Vets4Pets. “In Great Britain, the distribution of ticks is estimated to have expanded by 17% in the last decade alone, and the number of ticks has increased in some studied locations by as much as 73%.”

TERRIFYING TICK FACTS

• Ticks are most active March to October, but they can be active on mild winter days.
• A tick bite is usually painless, and most people will only know they’ve been bitten if they happen to see a feeding tick attached to them.
• Once a tick has started to feed, its body will become filled with blood. As their blood sacs fill, they generally become lighter in colour and can reach the size of a small pea, generally grey in colour.
• If undisturbed, a tick will feed for around 5 to 7 days before letting go and dropping off.
• The ticks you see on pets are larger, because they are adult ticks and have swollen with blood from the pet.

Minimise the risk

Humans can minimise the risk of tick bites by taking simple precautions. Blue Cross says: “Owners are more likely to be bitten by ticks if they walk their dogs in areas with a high tick population.” The animal charity recommends wearing long sleeved tops, tucking trousers into socks and using an insect repellent as the best means of defence.

If you want to avoid a pet emergency this spring, it’s important to take a closer look at some springtime hazards that vets would like pet owners to be aware of >>

Although cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets can attract ticks if they spend time outside, dogs tend to be the prime target.

As canines race through long grass and weave around woodlands, it’s all too easy for a tick to grab a hold of their fur. Dogs Trust says: “If your dog has been bitten, you’ll usually see the tick on their skin. Regular grooming can be a good way of checking for ticks in a relaxed way. Some dogs may change their behaviour if they’ve been bitten by a tick and the area is irritating them. They might lick or chew a specific part of their body more than usual, for example.”

Veterinary charity PDSA adds: “There’s no way to completely stop your dog from getting ticks, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk.”

• In the warmer months, avoid long grass. Stick to paths and open spaces instead.
• Use the Tick Surveillance Scheme map to check how common ticks are in different areas.
• Regularly check your dog for ticks after walks – you may find them before they have had the chance to attach. They are most common on the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy.

Happy, healthy pets and people! Experts in animal science believe that there are lots of ways we can nurture that relationship so that both pets and people can lead happier, healthier lives.

Protect and prevent

“If you live in a high-risk area, or your dog is prone to picking up ticks, you may want to consider using a tick repellent collar during the summer months, to prevent any from attaching in the first place,” advises PDSA. Although these can be on the pricey side, they do provide protection for up to eight months.

As with any kind of parasite treatment, it’s a good idea to discuss what’s best for your pet with your vet. PDSA adds: “Tick repellents often also provide protection against other parasites such as fleas, so it’s best to speak to your vet to find the right treatment for you and your dog. If you use a regular parasite treatment that covers for ticks, any ticks that attaches to your dog should die, and drop off within 24-48 hours. However, it’s still sensible to remove any ticks you see to reduce the chance of any diseases being passed to your dog.”

How to remove a tick

Ticks can be removed using a special tick removal device, available from your vet or pet shop. “It’s important to remove ticks carefully, and with the right equipment, so no part of it gets left behind. Never remove a tick by pulling, crushing, or squeezing it,” advises PDSA, which offers this tick-removing advice:

• Slide a tick-twisting tool under the tick, as close to your pet’s skin as possible. If the tool doesn’t fit neatly, use a different size (they usually come in packs of different sizes).
• Without pulling upwards, twist the tool in one direction until you feel the tick loosen – it will let go when you've turned enough.
• Slowly lift the tool away from your pet – the tick should release and stay in the hook.
• Get rid of it to ensure it doesn’t attach to other people or animals.
• Clean the affected area with warm salty water and monitor your pet for any signs of illness (such as redness, heat around the bite site, lethargy, or a reduced appetite).

Watch how to remove a tick safely here >>  

If the idea of tick removal makes you feel a bit squeamish, or you’re unsure about removing a tick correctly, your vet or veterinary nurse will be happy to do it for you.

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CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your pets from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It's all here >>

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