Ticks: Can you spot them?

It is important to be able to recognise a tick as they come in various shapes and sizes. If you don’t know what a tick looks like you won’t be able to find them on your pet.

The size of ticks at various stages in their lifecycle compared to an adult nail

The most common tick in the UK affecting our pets is the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) and this tick can transmit Lyme disease, which affects humans, dogs and cats. It is only the females that attach to the skin and feed from one location, filling themselves up with blood (which takes about 9 days).

 

A female Ixodes ricinus tick full with blood

 

Lyme disease is normally passed on from an infected tick to your pet around 48hrs after the start of feeding. By the time you notice a tick full of blood it would have already been feeding for 5-7 days. It is therefore vital to remove ticks as soon as possible in the right way. The easiest way to do this is by using a specially designed tick remover the O’tom Tick Twister (sold at the practice for £3.79 incl. VAT).

Ticks are mainly active in the UK in Spring and Autumn, as they like damp, warm weather. To find out the predicted risk of ticks and fleas outside in your area (or an area you will be visiting) go to:

FleaTickRisk.com

There are various products that can be used to try and reduce the risk of ticks to our pets. We sell Frontline Combo, which kills ticks 48hrs after biting if being used regularly every month. Due to the way the spot on works you may still find a dead tick attached to your pet, as they don’t always remove their mouthparts before dying. You may bring your pet to us here at the practice or remove it yourself at home with a tick remover.

Ticks are extremely important to consider if you are travelling abroad with your pet. Despite tick treatment no longer being compulsory we would highly recommend you use a product that repels, expels or kills ticks whilst abroad.
If you would like more information regarding the importance of ticks both home and abroad as well as advice on the spot on treatments we offer, contact us at the practice on 01792 879822 or make an appointment with one of our vets.