Photo courtesy of Insect Shield Supply
Did you know pets are just as susceptible to Tick-Borne Diseases as humans are, so it's important to protect them just as much as yourself?
In Australia, the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is the most dangerous tick for pets, taking a few hours to transmit tick diseases.
Around 10,000 dogs are affected, with a 5% mortality. This means at least 500 dogs will die from tick bites each year, with the remainder undergoing discomfort and suffering.
Always check your pet for ticks when they come indoors after being outdoors in known tick areas.
Protection Tip: Groom your pets
Grooming pets after a walk outside (through the bush, in parks, when they've played in piles of leaves) can help protect your pet and your family.
Dogs and cats typically encounter many more ticks than people.
Ticks can crawl, but their primary mode of transportation is hitchhiking.
Your pets collect ticks from outside and bring them indoors. Loose ticks crawling on your animals' fur can be carried into your home and maybe hide in carpets, furnishings, and even your bed. Ticks are known to wait for days indoors while looking for a blood meal, which could be you or your child.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR PETS FOR TICKS
- Always check all the crevices; like to hang out in dark areas where they are well hidden.
- Groom your pets at least once a day.
- Remove any collars before you start.
- Use your fingertips to feel through the animal’s coat.
- Feel for Ticks on the fur or under the skin’s surface.
- Part the hair and look at it more closely or with the help of a magnifying glass, if necessary. Your TickEase includes a bonus magnifier with the packaging.
- The place where the tick attaches may or may not be painful to your pet.
- There may be skin swelling.
- Most ticks are found forward of the front legs, especially on the face, neck, and ears. However, it is imperative to search your entire pet be sure to examine all skin folds.
- Remember to check between each toe and under the surface of the front feet, behind the ears, in the ears, and in the mouth.
When you find a tick on your pet, it is e to remove it correctly. TickEase tweezers make removing ticks from pets easy. Don't use your bare hands because you can become infected by handling or crushing an infected tick. Grasp the tick very close to your pet's skin with TickEase. Carefully pull the tick's body away from the skin. Be sure to disinfect your pet's skin with soapy water, tea tree oil or Betadine.
TickEase makes removing ticks from pets easy - have one in your car, backpack, your pocket when out walking and garden shed. When they're on hand - you'll use them repeatedly! Grab yours here.