What You Need to Know About Ticks from Your Kalamazoo Mobile Veterinarian

With the end of the warm weather of summer, comes the increase in the population of ticks throughout the Midwest. If you have a pet who enjoys the outdoors, and especially the woods, it’s important you understand why ticks are dangerous, how to prevent them, and how to remove them if they become imbedded in your pet.

Tick bites are dangerous for people and animals. Not only can they be painful, ticks are known for the transmission of diseases, which include Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to protect your pets. First, you should use year-round tick preventative as prescribed by your Kalamazoo Mobile Veterinarian, Creature Comfort Veterinary House Call Services. You should also clear brush, leaves, and other debris from your property. When your pet comes in from outside, especially if they ran off or were outside for a while, you should check them.

Luckily, ticks do not transmit diseases until 24 to 48 from the time of the bite, so if you notice a tick within that timeframe, you can prevent disease. First, you should make sure you have a tick removal tool or tweezers. Then, you should spread your pet’s fur and gently grab the tick with the tool as close to the skin as you can. Once you have the tick, gently pull it straight upwards in a slow and steady manner. You want to make sure you do not break off its body, leaving the head imbedded in your pet. You may want to keep the tick in a closed container in case you need to get it tested. Finally, disinfect and clean your tools, your pet’s skin, and wash your hands.

If you notice your dog is acting strange after a tick is removed, do not hesitate to contact Creature Comfort, you Kalamazoo mobile veterinarian.