Ticks can spread several serious diseases, making them dangerous to people and pets. In this post, our Charlotte vets explain how these external parasites thrive, including which signs to look for, and how to keep ticks away from your pets and your family.
What are ticks?
Ticks are external parasites that survive by drinking the blood of animals and humans. They do not fly or jump and so rely on hosts (usually wild animals that bring ticks onto your property) for transportation. Once ticks are on your property, pets frequently become hosts and the parasites are then brought into your home.
Are ticks dangerous?
Because ticks spread a number of serious diseases, they are dangerous to both people and pets. Ticks can infect people with serious conditions such as Lyme disease, which is spread when the tick's saliva—which contains germs and bacteria—makes its way into the bloodstream.
What do ticks look like in Charlotte?
The black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick) is one of the most common tick species found in Charlotte and has the dubious distinction as being the species responsible for most cases of Lyme disease in our state. It's joined by the lone star tick, American dog tick, groundhog tick and brown dog tick.
The black-legged tick is found in wooded, brushy areas and both males and females have flat, oval bodies. While female deer ticks' bodies are about 1/8" in size and orangish-brown (with a reddish-brown colored abdomen that becomes darker after feeding on a host), male deer ticks are about 1/16" and reddish-brown overall. They are longer than they are wide, and have sharply pointed, toothed mouthparts you can see clearly from above. Though tick exposure may occur year-round, they are most active during warmer months (April to September).
How do I check my pet for ticks?
Even after a short walk through bush and grass, check your dog carefully for ticks. Be sure to check deep within your pet's fur, behind and inside the ears, between the legs, around the neck, and between the toes.
How do I get rid of or prevent ticks?
There are fortunately a number of different methods for getting rid of and preventing ticks on small pets and dogs. Your options include spot-on treatments, oral medications, tick collars, or even using a shampoo containing medicated ingredients to bathe your pet and kill ticks on contact. Speak with your vet to determine the right option for you and your pet.
To help keep ticks away from your yard, it's a good idea to keep your lawn well-trimmed. This will give ticks fewer areas to live and breed, reducing the risk of ticks being around. At the height of tick season, you'll also want to limit the amount of time your pet spends outside.