Pet Tick Prevention

What are ticks?

Ticks are related to spiders, so they have eight legs. They have flat, oval bodies that swell when they eat. And they feed on the blood of all kinds of animals, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, raccoons, rats/mice, rabbits, deer, and humans.

Adult ticks are only about the size of an apple seed unless they’ve just fed. That means they’re hard to spot, which is partly why they’re so good at passing along illnesses without getting caught.

The Tick Towel Challenge

Pictured to the left, there is the same number of ticks on each towel. You can see how difficult it is to see ticks on the black and brown colored towels compared to the white. This is similar to your pet’s hair color.

Ticks come in all shapes and sizes. (male & female tick pic labeled as such)

• Female ticks are easy to see once they are engorged
• Male ticks are tiny and stay close to the female for mating

Facts About Ticks

• Found outdoors/wooded/tall grass and trees
• Prevalent in the spring and fall
• Each type of tick carries different, deadly diseases
• Diseases transmissible to both humans and animals
• Once a tick is attached, it can be difficult to remove. The head is buried under the skin. If you leave a bit of the head behind, it can cause infection.

What diseases can ticks transmit?

American Dog Ticks (dermacentor variabilis) transmit:

• Babesiosis (parasite)
• Ehrlichiosis (bacerial)
• Rickettsia/Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (bacterial)

Blacklegged Ticks/Deer Ticks (ixodes scapularis) transmit:

• Anaplasmosis/Dog Fever (bacterial)
• Babesiosis (parasite)
• Bartonellosis/Cat Scratch Disease (bacterial)
• Ehrlichiosis (bacterial)
• Lyme disease (bacterial)

Brown Dog Ticks (rhipicephalus sanguineus) transmit:

• Babesiosis (parasite)
• Bartonellosis/Cat Scratch Disease (bacterial)
• Ehrlichiosis (bacterial)
• Hepatozoonosis (parasite)
• Rickettsia/Rocky Mountain Spotted
• Fever (bacterial)

Lone Star Ticks (amblyomma americanum) transmit:

• Cytauxzoon felis (parasite)
• Ehrlichiosis (bacterial)

How can I test for tick-borne diseases?

Canine

Canine Blood Parasite Screen Idexx 4Dx Plus tests for:

• Heartworm
• Anaplasma
• Ehrlichia
• Lyme disease

Canine Idexx Tick/Vector RealPCR Blood Panel test for:

• Anaplasma
• Babesia
• Bartonella
• Ehrlichia
• Hemotroptic mycoplasma
• Hepatozoon
• Lyme
• Rickettsia

Feline

Feline Idexx Tick/Vector RealPCR Blood Panel test for:

• Anaplasma
• Bartonella
• Cytauxzoon felis
• Ehrlichia
• Hemotropic mycoplasma

Talk to our veterinarians about testing for tick-borne disease.

If any of these diseases are detected, we will discuss treatment options with you. These diseases can be life-threatening if not caught in time.

Products Available for Pets

1. Topical OTC (ParaDefense Adanced, K9 Advantix II)

*Do not use dog topical on cats; it can be fatal.*

2. Collars (Seresto) – Last up to 8 months. Must have contact with the skin by shaving dense hair to the skin around where the collar will sit.

3. Oral prescription (Credelio, Nexgard, Bravecto)

Recommend prevention be given year-round

Click here for over-the-counter products.

Click here to make exam appointment for oral prescriptions.

Prevention is key in preventing disease.