Autumn’s Foliage is the Perfect Cover for Ticks
It won’t be long until Autumn arrives in Clifton Park and the rest of Upstate New York and New England. For Fido (and Fiona), romping in piles of raked leaves is a great source of entertainment. However, disease-bearing arachnids enjoy falling leaves almost as much as your pooch.
And Clifton Park and the rest of Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Columbia counties and beyond are choice destinations for these pests, according to area healthcare experts.
Click on this link to reveal which tick-borne diseases are a threat in your area: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/which-canine-vector-borne-diseases-are-my-area.
The threat of ticks and the diseases they carry really can’t be overstated. Autumn and its accompanying cool days and nights are not a deterrent for ticks and other pests including fleas. Contrary to what a Clifton Park pet parent might think, ticks are not going into hibernation.
In fact, findings from a 2010 study on that matter found in The Journal of Clinical Investigation revealed some disease-carrying ticks have actually become “immune to the cold because they’ve developed a type of anti-freeze glycoprotein to survive in harsh conditions,” according to the experts at Pet Health Network.com.
Here are some tips from Pet Health Network.com, and a veterinarian with whom they consulted, to make sure Fido is tick-free before and after your autumn leaf-romping excursions.
Where should you daily be checking for ticks?
- Between the toes
- Inside the ears and around ear folds
- Under the chin and neck area
- Groin and armpits
Places that look like good hiding spots on your fluff ball probably are! Remember to always part the hair as much as you can to get the deepest and closest look. You should be checking your pup frequently after outdoor activities and any time he/she may have been exposed to parasites; including after frolicking with other pets or even following a brief walk outdoors with you.
When should you be using tick preventives?
The simple answer to this is always. Ticks are prevalent year-round. For more information or to read the full story online go tohttp://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-checkups-preventive-care/how-check-your-dog-ticks.
Don’t forget to consult with your pet’s veterinarian for more comprehensive information on ticks and the diseases your pup may be exposed to as well as to get custom-tailored information about the best preventatives currently on the market for your pooch.