Ticks are now being found in increasing numbers in the UK, including in Herts where I live
So what?
Ticks will bite and feed on your dog for up to a few days, and drop off once they’ve had enough. During this time, it’s possible the tick could give your dog a serious bacterial infection called Lyme disease. Dogs, cats and humans can all get Lyme disease
Tick bites can also lead to bacterial skin infections and other complications, so you should always remove ticks when you find them
I have been taking my dogs to France for many years and I always see Spring and Autumn create an abundance of ticks that we have had to take off and destroy from our dogs. They tend to be in longer grass and jump from the grass onto the dogs coat as they sniff, roll and play
I would suggest the following DAILY routine during Spring and Autumn:
- Gently run your hands over your dog’s body looking for unusual small bumps (if it has been on some time can look like a small red grape), also watch for what looks like movement in their fur. That could well be a tick
- If you find one that is not attached gently take off carefully, and destroy
- If it looks like something is burrowing into the dog do not try to take it out by hand. I would purchase and keep available these special tick removers (for example HERE) and select the appropriate size for the tick attached to your dog. Follow the instructions and carefully take it out. It is really important the whole tick comes out so be careful to take from the base that is attached. The tick base can detach so watch out for this
- If you can see that the tick has actually got inside & under your dog’s skin then it’s time for a vet visit!
- Clean the area with something like Hibiscrub (be careful to follow safety instructions fully)
- Repeat the check every day in Spring and Autumn
I hope this is useful. I know the consequences of bacterial infection and disease are serious so for me it’s a small precautionary price to pay. Thanks
