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Summer is here, bringing way to budding flowers, warm weather, longer days, and unfortunately, ticks. These tiny disease carriers are most active during warm weather beginning in spring, and continuing through summer, into fall. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease to both you and your pets, so it is important to understand the risks, and take extra precautions during these warm weather months. Lyme disease has been found in every state, however it is still most prevalent in the Northeast and upper Midwest. If left untreated, canine Lyme disease can cause joint disease, kidney damage and neurological problems. The good news is, when Lyme disease is detected early in animals and treated with antibiotics, pets generally recover quickly. What do I do if I find a Tick? Ticks live in in cracks and crevices in the home or outside in vegetation, such as grassy meadows, woods, brush and weeds. They cannot fly or jump, but they have a way of finding a host. Oftentimes, they will wait in wooded or grassy areas and attach themselves to any living creature that brushes them. Ticks can also detect the carbon dioxide given off by warm-blooded animals, in which they can crawl several feet to the carbon dioxide source. If you find a tick on your pet, do not simply try to remove it by pulling. This can leave its mouthparts embedded within your pet's skin. At times, ticks can be difficult to find, but common places to find hidden ticks are the head, neck, ears or feet. The longer the tick is attached to its host, the greater the chance for disease. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers. To protect yourself, wear gloves and do not touch the tick. Carefully grasp the exposed section of its body near the pet's skin and gently pull until the parasite lets go. You can help prevent inflammation by applying antiseptic onto the bitten area. To dispose of the tick, wrap it in several tissues and flush it down the toilet. You may also drop the tick in a small container of rubbing alcohol because ticks won't drown in water. Do not crush, burn or suffocate the tick as this may spread the infectious bacteria. Prevention Tips Creating a strategy that involves avoidance, habitation control, tick checks, and repellents is the best way to protect your pets from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Ticks thrive in damp, dense woods. When walking your dog, walk on trails and away from vegetation. In addition, keep your cats indoors and control tick inhabitation by regularly mowing your lawn and removing leaf litter and brush piles. Ticks can be hard to find, but checking your pets, and yourself, frequently can significantly reduce the chance of infection. A tick only needs to be attached for 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria. In a high risk area, such as Northern New Jersey, your veterinarians and staff may recommend an annual Lyme disease vaccination, blood screenings, and a repellent. Safe, reliable chemical and natural tick control products are available from your veterinarian as dips, sprays, collars, and topical applications. Many products will prevent fleas as well as ticks. Your veterinarian in Oakland, NJ is the best source for more information on the dangers of ticks in your area. As your pet has substantial exposure to ticks, you should ask your veterinarian for advice about the appropriateness of a vaccination for Lyme disease.
Oakland Animal Hospital, veterinarians in Franklin Lakes, NJ/Oakland, NJ, was founded in 1963 and is proud to have a committed staff that is pet lovers just like their patients. Since 1963 Oakland Animal Hospital has grown from a single veterinarian and small staff to three Oakland, NJ/Franklin Lakes, NJ veterinarians, seven veterinarian technicians and nine support staff members.
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