Preventing tick infestations in your pets is very important as ticks can carry and transmit a host of serious diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis. Certain ticks carry certain diseases: the deer tick is a carrier of Lyme disease; the brown dog tick a carrier of ehrlichiosis; and the American dog tick a carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
To prevent tick infestations in pets, there are spot topicals, collars, and pills that can be used, though some recommend not using collars on cats as they may be toxic. Your veterinarian can recommend a product that is appropriate for your pet. If you do find a tick on your pet, soak a piece of cotton in alcohol and apply it to the tick to loosen it. There are specialized tick removers available to make removal simpler. Otherwise, use tweezers or a tissue to grab the tick and remove it, making sure not to leave the head in. Do not attempt to remove the tick by burning it. |
