Porky and Buddy Pet Health – Tackling Tick Trouble

by Contributor | April 4, 2016 6:35 am

Dear Porky and Buddy,
Help! We have always been conscientious about using a topical flea and tick product on our pets, and that has always seemed to be effective. But we have never started it before May at the earliest and now our dog, Sam, is coming in with ticks almost every day since early March.

March!!

I thought those nasty little things die or something over the winter. When should I start those treatments?
John

Dear John,
What do you think is the existential purpose of ticks? A hard question to contemplate isn’t it?

Ticks are not only gross. They are also pretty tough.

Our winters here in Oswego County generally at least slow them down considerably and it takes a while for the population to build back up to problematic levels.

But the reality is that our winter this year was weirdly mild and ticks are out there in full swing much earlier than we are all used to.

So you need to talk to your vet this year about when you should start prevention and don’t be surprised if your vet says, NOW!

The thing to remember, too,  is that some topical medications, one is Frontline, don’t repel the ticks, it simply kills them, eventually You still have to remove them.

So be sure to check your pets when they come inside and remove what you see.

Yes, it is an icky process, but strangely satisfying.

You  can buy effective and not very expensive tick removal gadgets at any pet supply story or you vet’s office.

Don’t add a flea/tick collar when you are using a topical medication, and definitely avoid any type of flea/tick shampoo unless you talk to your vet and he specifically recommends such an extra step as safe.

The other thing to remember is that the cool but not long-term freezing  wet weather that we have been having, combined with lots of fallen leaves to provide shelter, results in a perfect habitat for ticks to lie in wait for warm-blooded animals to come near.

So you might want to also think about controlling the outside environment as much as possible.

This generally involves minimizing the areas that provide ideal tick habitat.

You should remove leaves and, if possible, clear away brush and tall grass from around your kennel or house; wherever your pets may be roaming.

And remember too that certain animals are carriers for ticks; deer, rodents and other such animals are notorious for harboring ticks.

Keeping them away from your house helps to control the ticks in your pets’ nearby outdoor play areas.

We are not gardening experts, but we are told there are some environmentally safe and pet-friendly sprays that can be used around the yard or kennel areas that can help in reducing the number of ticks in your yard.

They are primarily natural plant-based pyrethrums or the synthetic versions (which are called generically pyrethroids).

If you decide to go that route, follow the directions for application times and rates carefully.

Even if your spray is environmentally friendly, you should still take precautions not to use it where run-off could enter a natural waterway.

Good luck, have fun with Sam, and remember, it’s almost flea season too!

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Located at 110 W. Second St., Oswego, NY.

Phone: (315) 2,07-1070.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.

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