As September approaches, bringing with it the last stretch of warm summer days, the risk of tick infestations on your pets remains high. In the UK, ticks are most active during the warmer months, and this can pose serious health risks to both cats and dogs. Understanding why ticks are more prevalent in the summer, the dangers they present, and how to identify if your pet has been bitten by a tick are essential steps in safeguarding your furry friends.
Tick Prevalence in Summer
Ticks are arachnids, related to spiders, and they thrive in warm, humid conditions. Summer, especially September, is the peak season for tick activity in the UK. These tiny bloodsuckers are found in areas with tall grass, shrubs, and woodlands, where they wait for a host to pass by. Unlike fleas, ticks do not jump; instead, they crawl onto their host when there is direct contact with the vegetation they inhabit.
Ticks go through several life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. In their quest for blood meals, ticks can latch onto your pets at any stage. Nymphs and adult ticks are particularly active in late summer, making it a critical time for pet owners to be vigilant.
Why Ticks Are a Risk for Your Pet
Ticks can cause a variety of health problems for pets, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening:
- Lyme Disease: Perhaps the most well-known tick-borne illness, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which ticks can transmit to dogs (and less commonly to cats). Symptoms include fever, lameness, swollen joints, and lethargy. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to kidney failure and other serious complications.
- Anaplasmosis: Another tick-borne disease, anaplasmosis, is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and can result in symptoms like fever, joint pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. This illness can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are often nonspecific.
- Babesiosis: Babesiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite that infects red blood cells, leading to anemia, jaundice, fever, and lethargy. It is more commonly seen in dogs than in cats and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Tick Paralysis: Though rare, tick paralysis is a condition caused by the neurotoxin released by some species of ticks when they bite. This can cause weakness, lack of coordination, and even paralysis in pets, which may be reversible if the tick is removed in time.
- Skin Infections and Irritation: Tick bites can cause local irritation, redness, and sometimes secondary infections due to constant scratching or grooming by your pet.
Signs Your Pet May Have Ticks
Ticks are expert hiders, often attaching themselves in less noticeable areas on your pet’s body. Regularly checking your pet for ticks, especially after walks in wooded or grassy areas, is crucial. Here’s what to look out for:
- Unusual Bumps or Lumps: Ticks attach themselves to your pet’s skin and become engorged with blood over time, making them easier to spot as they grow. If you notice any small, hard lumps on your pet’s body, it could be a tick.
- Scratching and Chewing: If your pet is scratching or chewing at a specific spot more than usual, it’s worth investigating. Ticks often latch on in areas like the neck, ears, under the collar, between the toes, and around the groin area.
- Visible Ticks: Ticks are small, usually about the size of a sesame seed when not engorged, and can be black, brown, or grey. They often go unnoticed until they have fed and swollen in size.
- Lethargy and Weakness: If your pet shows signs of lethargy, weakness, or reluctance to move, it could be a sign of a tick-borne disease. In such cases, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Preventing and Dealing with Ticks
Prevention is key when it comes to ticks. Our pet subscription service delivers effective monthly tick prevention treatments straight to your door, ensuring your pets are protected throughout the high-risk summer months. Here’s how you can further protect your pets from ticks:
- Regular Preventative Treatments: Consistently use tick preventatives, such as topical treatments, oral medications, or tick collars. Our subscription service makes it easy to keep up with your pet’s treatment schedule.
- Check Your Pets After Walks: After walks in areas known to be tick habitats, thoroughly check your pet’s fur and skin for ticks. Pay special attention to areas around the ears, neck, underarms, and between the toes.
- Maintain Your Garden: Keep your garden tidy by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, and removing leaf litter and debris, which are common tick habitats.
- Proper Tick Removal: If you find a tick on your pet, it’s important to remove it safely. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible and pull it out steadily without twisting. Dispose of the tick and clean the bite area with antiseptic.
By staying proactive and informed, you can help ensure your pets remain tick-free and healthy throughout the summer. Sign up for our subscription service today and take the worry out of tick prevention, so you and your pets can enjoy the remaining summer days with peace of mind.
