How to Protect Your Pet Against Tick Borne Diseases in Fayetteville
Thanks to our mild year-round climate, ticks are a commonplace part of life in Fayetteville. It’s hard to believe that something so tiny can cause problems of such enormity, but itty-bitty ticks are responsible for unleashing huge health problems on otherwise healthy, thriving pets. Pets in Arkansas benefit from parasite prevention medication and other strategies to thwart tick-borne illness.
Unique and Treacherous Pests
Pets are highly vulnerable to tick bites in Arkansas throughout the year because of our climate. Because of variations in peak hatching and feeding times, the preferred habitats and hosts of each tick species, and the different diseases they have the potential to spread. Not every tick encountered will be a vector for disease, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preventing tick-borne diseases in Fayetteville and beyond.
The Usual Suspects
The following ticks species generally prefer wild, overgrown shrubbery, wood piles, long grass, forests, and fields:
- American dog tick
- Blacklegged, or deer tick
- Brown dog ticks
- Gulf coast tick
- Lone star tick
Because they actively hunt and feed on deer, rodents, and other small mammals, these ticks can be anywhere their prey is normally found.
Tick-Borne Disease
Ticks can spread the following diseases to pets and people alike:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
Lyme disease (spread by blacklegged, or deer ticks) is probably the most well-known tick-borne disease. Pets infected with this bacterial disease may not show symptoms for 2-5 months after tick transmission. After tests confirm the diagnosis, a month-long treatment of antibiotics can clear the organism. Long-term effects of the disease may include recurrence of Lyme disease symptoms such as stiffness, lameness, fever, and swelling of the joints.
The Lyme disease vaccine can protect pets with active, outdoor lifestyles. Monthly parasite prevention medication can kill ticks before they have a chance to infect pets.
Various Sizes and Life Stages
In the larval stage, ticks are very small and can go undetected on the skin for longer periods. This means that if they are carrying a pathogen they have a higher likelihood of spreading disease because it takes up to 36 hours for ticks to attach and transmit the pathogen through its saliva:
- Conduct sweeps of a pet’s limbs every day, especially if they spend any time out in nature (you can see grown ticks on a pet’s legs, feet, abdomen, back, neck, ears, groin, and armpits).
- Protect your family by wearing long pants and sleeves, and always stay on trails.
- Tick repellent can work very well on people, gear, and clothing, but should not be sprayed on pets.
Removal, Diagnostics and Treatment
Ticks must be removed immediately with a tick key or a fine-pointed tweezer. Pull the tick out straight; twisting can sever the head which can remain embedded under the skin, and lead to infection. Clean the affected area and save the tick between two layers of transparent tape or a zip bag for possible testing.
Symptoms of tick-borne disease include lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, and swelling. Blood Work can lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If caught early, prognosis of tick-borne disease is good.
If you have questions about protecting your pet from ticks, please call our staff at (479) 750-7474. Crossover Veterinary Clinic is always here to help.