I hate ticks. There is not one single redeeming feature about those tiny arthropods that would cause me to spare their lives or allow them their pursuit of happiness. Anywhere you find them, they leave trouble in their wake. Regardless of how careful you are about putting collars on your dogs and cats, and even conducting daily "tick checks" on the kids, those troublesome ticks still find their way into your life.
Now that warm weather is here to stay, it is time to get serious about tick management. The first place to start is with your pets. There are effective sprays, collars, dips and dusts that can help control the problem on your furry friends. But if you have a dog like my golden retriever who would rather have a good swim than chomp on a biscuit, you have an added problem. Water negates or reduces the effectiveness of the commercial tick inhibitors. Is there a different kind of protection for wet pets? Unfortunately there is not. You simply need to stay vigilant in your tick checks and applications of spray.
What happens if the tick goes unnoticed and imbeds itself in your pup or kitty? A tick is designed with an excellent clasper jaw for holding onto skin. It usually strikes your pet around the neck or ears. As it does, a serrated tip on its lower mouth begins the surgery which ultimately feeds blood to the tick. The tick releases a saliva into the wound channel to prevent the blood from clotting, and here is where the real problem starts. Although an engorged tick may be a gruesome thing to look at, the damage done is not from its blood sucking activity but from the introduction of disease through the tick's saliva.
Rocky mountain spotted fever has been and still is one of the most serious diseases carried by ticks. But lately, Lyme disease has become an increasing problem here in the Valley. Unlike spotted fever, which is carried by the fairly large Eastern Wood (dog) tick, Lyme disease is carried by the tiny Deer Tick, which is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Many times it attaches to its victim and finishes its work before you or the pet knows what happened.
Lyme disease is serious, but can easily be cured by application of antibiotics. It does carry serious side effects, though, when left unnoticed in your pet. Besides the large rash area around the bite, it can produce a high fever, swelling in the joints, and, if left untreated, can cause crippling arthritis. One of the first signs of Lyme Disease inyour pet will be the loss of stamina and appetite, and finally listlessness. It is vital that you see a vet as soon as possible to prevent the serious side effects of Lyme disease.
Is there anything a pet owner or afflicted person can do if they find a tick? If you are in an area with trees or high weeds, you could come in contact with these tiny relatives of spiders. Wearing light-colored clothing will help you notice ticks on yourself, but a close inspection is necessary for your pet. If a tick is found after a short romp, it more than likely will not be attached, because it takes quite a while until the tick finds just the right spot for its meal. In this case, simply lift it from the fur. Don't be worried about being bitten during this operation, because a tick needs to work at opening the skin. Its eating equipment isn't designed for quick entry, like a mosquito's. Dispose of the tick in kerosene or oil, or take out your frustration by rocking it asleep - with a real rock.
If you find a tick embedded in skin, you will need to remove it. It seems that there are as many popular ways to remove a tick as there are people to offer advice. These include smothering it in grease; inebriation in rubbing alcohol; incineration by smoldering cigarette tip, and decapitation by pocket knife. But according to a recommendation by the Harvard Medical School, the most effective way is to simply, and slowly, grab the animal at the skin line with a forceps or tweezer and pull it off.
The wound of a tick is tiny, but it should still be cleaned with an antiseptic. Keep your eye on the bite for at least a week. Tick bites often are non-threatening, but they can just as easily carry an infection or stimulate an allergic reaction. If tick bites are encountered, consulting a doctor is good common sense, just as it would be to consult with your vet for your faithful pooch or kitty.
We will never be without the annoyance of ticks, but we can know the enemy and deal with its insidious ways. After all, it's easy to have ticks.