Tis the Season for Tick Prevention
Oakdale, MN (PRWEB) August 01, 2014 -- Summer is here, and with it comes the season of ticks. Ticks are most active during the summer, and they can be a pain for dogs. Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota is ready to help all their customers get rid of ticks and prevent them completely.
Female ticks lay between 3,000 and 6,000 eggs in the summer, which is why they are so active during this season. Ticks tend to live in tall grass and woodland areas and carry a number of diseases, including lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Blood loss, anemia, tick paralysis and skin irritation or infections are the symptoms that pets may suffer from due to a tick bite.
Dogs should be checked frequently for ticks, especially after being by a grassy or woodsy area. To do so, first run fingers slowly over the dog’s entire body. Pay special attention to the head, neck, feet and ears. If there is a bump or swollen area, look to see if a tick is residing there. Remember to check between toes, under armpits, inside ears and the fact.
Don’t limit the check to just the dog either. Be sure to check all family members and pets for ticks. A tick may enter the home on a dog’s back and jump onto another pet or human in the home.
To remove a tick, follow these steps:
1. Wear gloves
2. Treat area with rubbing alcohol
3. Remove tick with tweezers by grasping onto the tick and pulling outward in a straight, steady motion. (Be sure to remove the full tick)
4. Store the tick in a small container with isopropyl alcohol (this will kill the tick) and mark the date on the container. (This is in case the veterinarian wants to identify or examine the tick)
5. Call the veterinarian
6. Reward the pet for being a trooper with a treat
It only takes one bite for a tick to infect a dog, and there is no way of knowing if the tick is carrying a disease or not. The best way to keep ticks off dogs is to take action before finding a tick. Pet owners can reduce their pet’s exposure to ticks by removing leaves and clearing brush and tall grass from their yard. When going for walks, be sure to stay in the center of the path. Do not wander into the woods or other grassy areas.
Don’t let the dog become a tick’s meal! Use a pet prevention product. A once-a-month topical like Frontline or K9 Advantix is highly recommended. Pet owners can also use sprays, dips and shampoos. In addition, to take extra caution with lyme disease, pet owners may want to consider getting their dog vaccinated. They should invest in a tick prevention product right away if their pet does not currently have any prevention products. Consult with the veterinarian to find out what product is right for the pet. Also, do not use a dog tick prevention product for a cat. Have a separate product that is designed for cats.
For more information, contact the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota by calling 651-501-3766 or visiting http://aercmn.com/.
<br>About the company:<br>Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota (AERC) started out with one clinic, one veterinarian, and one technician. Today, they employ a wide variety of doctors and health care team members – all specially trained in emergency and critical care--in addition to a growing referral practice for when pets just aren't feeling like themselves. For more information, please visit their website at http://aercmn.com.
Heidi Brenegan, Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnes, http://aercmn.com/, 651-501-3766, [email protected]
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