Tick Prevention for Pets
Ticks are out in full force. I have picked many off of myself, as well as pups that I’ve been walking. As a pet owner, it’s important to be aware of the dangers that ticks can pose to your pets.
Ticks are small, parasitic creatures that attach themselves to the skin of their host to feed on their blood. While they are most commonly found in wooded or grassy areas and dense vegetation, they can also be present in urban environments (including beach areas).
Ticks can transmit several severe diseases to humans and animals, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe neurological damage. In some cases, they can even be fatal.
There are two kinds of ticks called the “hard” ticks and the “soft” ticks. Hard ticks, like the typical dog tick, have a rigid shield just behind the mouthparts (sometimes incorrectly called the “head”); unfed hard ticks are shaped like a flat seed and find their way into the skin of their host.
Several products are available to help prevent ticks from attaching to your pets. These products include topical repellents, collars, oral medications, and sprays.
Topical repellent protects your pets from pests using spot-on solution and shampoo, topical pest control doesn’t require your pet to tablets or injection, you have to apply topical products on the spot of the pests, an example of topical pest control products are Frontline, Revolution Plus, and Vectra 3D.
Oral treatments are products that are consumables for your pets, which can be easier to administer than topical pest control products. Examples of oral treatment are Nexguard, Simparica, and Program Plus. You must get a prescription from your veterinarian for the oral treatments.
According to a ninety-day study, it was found that topicals were 88.4 percent effective, while oral treatments were 99.9 percent effective.
You can go here to view more pest control products that guarantee the best treatment for your pet.
Some of these products contain chemicals harmful to humans and animals, so it is essential to read the labels carefully and follow the directions.
To prevent ticks from attaching to your pets, there are a few things you can do.
Firstly, make sure your pet is up to date on its vaccinations. This will help reduce the risk of your pet contracting a tick-borne disease.
Secondly, use a tick repellent on your pet. There are several products available, so be sure to read the label carefully to choose one that is safe for your pet.
Finally, check your pet regularly for ticks. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it immediately and contact your veterinarian.
Tickborne diseases come with different effects such as headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Furthermore, minor swelling or redness in the region of a tick bite that happens rapidly and looks similar to a mosquito bite is common. This pain generally goes away in 1-2 days and is not an indication of Lyme disease. Ticks can also circulate other organisms that may induce a different type of breakout.
It should be of utmost importance for pet owners to take the health of their pets very seriously. Take the steps necessary and keep those creepy crawlers away!