Few pests evoke as many questions from people as ticks. Besides their repulsive appearance, ticks are carriers of potentially debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Lyme disease, in particular, has attracted national attention and is now the number one arthropod-borne disease in the United States. Although Lyme disease is more prevalent in eastern and Midwestern states, many questions and concerns have come from all parts of the country.

Where Do Ticks Come From?

Ticks prefer to live in woods, tall grass, weeds and brush. They climb onto low vegetation and attach to suitable hosts which pass by, including pets and people. Ticks are seldom a problem in well-maintained lawns although edges of property supporting tall weeds and brush can be a source of infestation.

The Best Way To Avoid Acquiring Ticks Is Through Prevention!

The Life Cycle Of The Tick

Ticks are relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites. As such, their survival is dependent on a host (i.e., they're parasites). Specifically, ticks feed on an animal's blood or body fluids. The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis in the East & Midwest, and Ixodes pacificus in the West) goes through many stages during its lifecycle, and feeds on different species at each point.

Ticks begin as eggs (stage 1) that hatch into 6-legged larvae (stage 2). 

Larvae live and feed on animals (mice, deer, squirrels, livestock, and any humans who enter the tick habitat) for about a week before detaching then molting (shedding) anywhere from 1 week to 8 months later.

The larvae then become 8-legged nymphs (stage 3). Nymphs feed on animals, engorge for 3 to 11 days, detach, and molt about a month later (depending on the species and environmental conditions).

Once the nymph molts, it becomes an adult tick (male or female).  Ticks climb up grass and plants and hold their legs up "sensing" and "looking" for their prey.  Ticks are attracted to their hosts by detecting carbon dioxide and heat through special organs located on the first pair of the tick's legs (Haller's organs). When a warm-blooded animal walks past, the tick can crawl onto them and begins feeding.  Ticks insert their mouths, attach to their prey, and engorge themselves with a blood meal (stage 4).  During feeding, tick saliva can get into the host's body and blood stream.  Any tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi can then inadvertently spread this bacteria to the host.

Male and female ticks usually mate while attached to the host. A few weeks later, the engorged female detaches from the host and lays her eggs (1000 - 8000 eggs) on a leaf.  A tick usually lives a year before dying.

 

Is Your Dog At Risk From Lyme Disease?

1. Has Lyme Disease been found in your area either in people or in dogs?

2. Do you live in an area near woods or tall brush?

3. Do you live in the northeast U.S., north central U.S., along the pacific coast, or travel to these areas with your dog?

4. Do you bring your dog along while walking, jogging, picnicking, camping, hiking, hunting or fishing?

5. Have you ever found a tick on your dog or any other pet or person in your household?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then your dog is at risk of getting Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease Is A Growing Threat

What Are The Signs Of Lyme Disease?

If detected early enough Lyme Disease can be successfully treated.

Symptoms include...

- Lameness or stiffness.

- Swelling in the limbs and/or joints.

- Fever.

- Lethargy & reluctance to move.

- Loss of appetite.

- Vomiting.

- Depression.

If left untreated, this disease can cause arthritis, kidney failure, heart damage and death.

What Should I Do If I Find A Tick On My Pet?

Remove The Tick: Use small tweezers to firmly grip the tick's mouth-parts as close to your pet's skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out, steadily and slowly.  Destroy the tick by immersing it in rubbing alcohol.  Then apply an antiseptic to the bitten area and wash your hands.

What Is The Best Way To Protect My Pet From Ticks

And Lyme Disease Year Round?

1. Routinely check your pet for ticks after they've been outdoors.

2. Give your pet a brushing after each outing.

3. Keep brush and grass on your property cut and mowed where your pet plays.

4. Vaccinate your pet against Lyme Disease. LymeVax is the first vaccine developed especially to protect dogs from the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. Safe and effective, LymeVax is administered yearly.

5. Use a topical tick preventative monthly.  Frontline Plus is a once per month topical applicant that kills 100% of ticks on dogs and cats within 24-48 hours, as well as killing 100% of adult fleas on your pet within 18 hours.

6. Have your pet tested. The IDEXX Snap-3 Dx test yields results in only 8 minutes and can be performed right in your veterinarian's office.  This blood test can detect Heartworm Disease, Lyme Disease and Ehrlichiosis (another tick borne disease - there is currently no vaccine available for Ehrlichiosis). 

 

Early detection is critical and yearly testing is recommended. Speak with your Veterinarian about tick detection and prevention during your next office visit.

Although this information bulletin provides basic information about ticks and Lyme Disease, your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about ticks and their prevention.