How to protect dogs from ticks in Towcester
August 23, 2021
Ticks are much more than just a nuisance to remove from your dog. Infected ticks can carry and transfer dangerous diseases. If you choose to use a tick prevention treatment, then you can head-off many of the issues caused by ticks. If you have not invested in one of these treatments, then in the spirit of ‘prevention is better than cure’ we’d suggest you follow Towcester Vets’ top tips for dog tick prevention to help protect your pet
If you’d like help and advice on the right tick prevention treatment, please Contact our practice nurses who will be happy to assist.
Ask us about tick prevention products
Remember, if you’re using certain tick prevention products it may be necessary to leave ticks in your pet as some preventative products work by killing the ticks before they can transfer disease to your pet. If you’re using one of these products then the tick’s mouth parts need to be digested by the body for the tick to naturally fall off your pet, which will happen in a few days.
Depending on whether you’re using a preventative treatment or not, it’s still be a good idea to understand some basic tick avoidance techniques. Here are our top four.
- Check your dog for ticks every day
Whether you’re using tick prevention products or not, the best way to protect against ticks is to check coats for ticks every day by feeling all over the body. Pay special attention to areas that your pet can’t easily reach around the head, behind the ears, and underneath the legs. Smaller deer ticks even hang out on eyelids so be thorough.
- Learn how to remove ticks quickly and safely
When it’s appropriate to do so, removing a tick is straightforward once you know how. To do this you’ll need a tick removal tool. We normally have these in stock so please give us a ring on 01327 350239 and you can pop in and get one. To help, our nurses have created a simple tick removal guide, that you can get from the link below.
Download our tick removal guide
- Avoid walking your dog in areas with high grass
Ticks live close to the ground in long grass and leaf debris. When walking your dog between March and September, it’s worth avoiding long grass. If you can’t, then walk in the centre of pathways and try to dodge overhanging plants.
- Keep Long-Haired Pets Groomed
Long hair on dogs (or on any pets for that matter) makes it easier for ticks to attach themselves and hide. Consider getting your dog a shorter summer clip and along with the daily checks we mentioned above a thorough weekly grooming session is always a good idea.
As ever, if you’d like advice on preventative treatments or if you’ve taken the decision not to use these and you’re having issues with removing a tick, our vet nurses are here to help, and you can contact them by giving us a quick call on 01327 350239.
