A recent article in the Hamilton spectator says ticks are here to stay. Over the past several years we have seen a rise in the number of pets brought to the clinic with attached ticks. We have also seen a rise in the number of deer ticks, the type of tick that can carry Lyme disease. As of yet, we have not seen an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease itself, as is also mentioned in the article. Over the next several years tick numbers are expected to rise. We can help protect our pets from ticks and tick borne disease by using tick preventative products, given orally or applied topically, usually monthly or for some products every 3 months to kill ticks when they land on our pets or attach and feed. Ticks prefer long grassy or wooded areas but are also being found in backyards, which means you don’t necessarily need to be hiking on trails to get a tick. Ticks are also active when it’s 4 degrees Celsius and above. Small, immature deer ticks prefer the cooler weather and in some cases are no bigger than a poppy seed so they can be quite difficult to find especially when pets have a thick hair coat! Tick preventative products in this area probably need to be used for 9-12 months out of the year.
You can read the full article in the Hamilton Spectator here:
