Compassion, care, clinical excellence
News May 2015 The BIG Tick Awareness Campaign – Why Worry About Ticks? Damp winters and hotter summers are providing ideal conditions for ticks to thrive. Ticks can pass on a serious infection to humans, known as Lyme Disease as well as causing disease in our pets by feeding on blood. Public Health England estimates new cases of Lyme’s disease in human’s at approximately 3000 a year, although the figures may be higher. Lyme disease is caused by a bite from a tick infected with the bacteria Borellia Burgdorferi. (Note that not all ticks carry these bacteria and studies are in progress show the level of infection in ticks). Humans and dogs can become bitten during walks in wooded areas or parkland in both urban and rural areas. Symptoms in dogs include lameness, lethargy and fever, which, if left untreated, can lead to more serious conditions such as kidney disease and heart failure. In humans infection can cause a rash and flu-like symptoms and tiredness but in extreme cases can affect joints, heart and nervous system and even be fatal. Ticks are more active throughout spring, early summer and then again in autumn, although infection is possible all year round. ‘The Big Tick Project’ This is a national campaign involving more than 1000 veterinary practices (including Paragon) running over 2 months encouraging owners to bring their pet to the vets to have a FREE tick check. Any ticks found are being sent to Bristol University for scientific analysis where they will be examined for the Lyme disease bacteria and other tick-bourne diseases. Safe Tick Removal Safe tick removal is essential. The body, small head and mouth parts (which are often buried in the skin) must be removed in their entirety. Ticks should be removed as soon as they are seen and a specific tick remover device should be used. Older techniques such as applying petroleum jelly, alcohol or burning should be avoided as this can stress the tick and increase the risk of infection being passed to the host. Prevention is better than cure! Tick and Flea prevention protocols All pets in a multi animal household should be considered In modern centrally heated houses flea and tick control can be necessary all year round Spot on products are available to repel ticks and a wearable collar are also available. Tablet forms of anti -flea and tick products are also available and easy to administer; one product lasting for 12 weeks. Lyme Disease Vaccination Quite recently there has been a vaccine released in the UK to help protect dogs against Lyme disease, which involves a course of 3 injections. Unfortunately there is no human vaccination. Please contact us for more information.