Dogs, Cats, Ticks and You

Flea and tick season is upon us again all across the country. The weather is warmer, the trees are blooming, the days are longer, and our pets are spending more and more time outside. It is the perfect recipe for what we call ectoparasites ("ecto-" means outside or external and "parasite" means well, parasite…). While this group refers to all sorts of bugs, including ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, I want to focus this article on the ticks and the implications for both our pets and our families.

If you own a pet, especially a dog, you have probably encountered a tick at some point. Cats can also have ticks, and though it does not occur as often in cats as it does in dogs, please do not become complacent. If your cats are outside unattended, check them daily for ticks just as you would your dog. The ticks they carry can be just as dangerous as those of the dog.

Ticks are found in every region of the country and there are many different types. The Brown Dog Tick, the American Dog Tick, the Deer Tick, just to name a few of the more prominent parasites. These bugs live in the bushes, the grasses and the woods that surround our homes, and they feed off of our pets or off of us. As we walk through the bushes, alone or with our pets, the ticks will attach to any living creature they can come in contact with. They attach, enjoy a blood meal courtesy of the host’s circulatory system, hang around for a while, and then detach to reproduce. That is why it is always recommended that you wear clothing that covers all parts of your body, especially your ankle areas, if you are active outdoors this time of year.

Why do we worry so much about ticks? The answer is simple. Nearly all ticks carry some sort of disease. And these diseases can be transmitted directly to whomever they feed off of, be that our dogs and cats or ourselves. So we are always on the lookout for ticks on our pets for two reasons; we do not want our pets to become infected by the ticks, and we do not want the pets to bring ticks into our homes, where they can attach to us and transmit diseases to our families.

The one you have heard the most about is Lyme disease, or Borreliosis. There is no doubt that ticks carry this disease and transmit it to dogs and people. While treatable in both, this can be a difficult and debilitating disease to get rid of. Prevention is certainly the best form of medicine in the case of Lyme disease (see our product review section for ideas on how to prevent ticks in your pets). But there are other diseases ticks can transmit that do not get as much press. Ehrlichia is another disease that we have known to be transmitted from ticks to our dogs, and in the past several years there has been mounting evidence indicating that Ehrlichia can also be transmitted to people.

In another article we will discuss the symptoms and treatment for Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. But it is imperative that we as pet owners are constantly on the lookout for ticks, because of the threat to our pets and our families. Always run your hands through the coat of your dog or cat when they come inside. You will usually feel a bump where the tick has attached. Be sure to check in between the toes and around the ears, as these are a few of the most accessible places for them to attach.

Remember that ticks are preventable. Visit the Product Review section to choose which preventive program is best for you. Diseases like Lyme and Ehrlichia are a lot easier to prevent than they are to get rid of. So be diligent, for the sake of your pet and your family.

Dr. Larry