![]() Symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses may not show up until weeks or months after a bite, and they are often vague, making them difficult and time-consuming to diagnose. Unlike people, pets don’t develop a telltale bull’s-eye rash at the site of a tick bite. What are symptoms of tick-borne diseases? If you find a tick, remove it promptly: It takes 24 to 48 hours for an attached tick to transmit an infection to its host.Try using a lint roller immediately after coming inside-you might catch ticks that haven’t yet bitten your pet.Regularly check your dog for ticks, especially after playing in grassy areas or hiking in the woods.Ask your veterinarian about the Lyme disease vaccine.Don’t assume you’re not at risk if you live in an urban area-ticks can be present nearly anytime, anywhere.Follow frequency and application directions carefully.Don’t assume your flea protection covers ticks, too-check the label.Make sure your hands and whatever tool you use is clean, and follow these steps: Grasp the tick as. Don’t use a dog product on a cat or vice versa. You can remove the tick yourself with a tick removal tool or with a set of fine-tipped tweezers. Only use products that are appropriate for your pet.For example, a topical product might not be a good option for a dog who swims regularly. Choose a product compatible with your pet’s lifestyle.Tick bites can happen any time of year, so it’s best to use a preventative year-round. Use a preventative regularly-and not just in the warm months.Tick-borne illnesses can be difficult to diagnose and treat, so preventing ticks from biting your pet in the first place is crucial. You can also ask your veterinarian about flea and tick preventatives. In addition, to protect cats from fleas and ticks, as well as a host of other outdoor hazards, cats should be kept indoors at all times. Ticks transfer between hosts, so it is important to check all family members after outdoor activities in wooded, leafy or grassy areas.Ĭomb your pet regularly with a flea comb, vacuum frequently and dispose of the bags immediately after use, mow areas of the lawn where your dog spends time, wash pet bedding weekly and wash your pet with a pesticide-free pet shampoo. If you or your companion animals spend any time outdoors, you should routinely check for ticks. If the skin remains irritated or infected, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Keep an eye on the area where the tick was to see if an infection surfaces. Wash your hands, clean your pet’s wound with antiseptic and make sure to clean your tweezers with isopropyl alcohol. If your pet begins displaying symptoms of a tick-borne illness, your veterinarian may want to identify or test it. Some symptoms include arthritis or lameness that lasts for three to four days, reluctance to move, swollen joints, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite and neurological problems. ![]() Slide the notch of the remover under the tick, pulling it free.ĭrop the tick into isopropyl alcohol and note the date you found the tick. ![]()
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