There are few things more exciting than the onset of warmer weather after a long winter. Long summer days often mean more time spent outside with our beloved family pets, which increases our exposure to ticks!
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Here are a few simple precautions you can take to decrease your pets risk of tick bites and possible complications like anemia and skin irritations, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and more.
Brush your pet often and shampoo regularly.
If your pet will tolerate it, get in the habit of brushing them after time spent outside. Ticks can hide in even the tidiest of lawns and a quick brush can help shake them off before they have a chance to burrow down to your pets skin.
After brushing, thoroughly run your fingers through your pets fur, looking for black and brown speck making sure to check your dog’s neck, under its armpit, behind and inside its ears, and even between its toes.
For summer baths, we like Espana Silk Antiseptic/Healing Shampoo with extra Silk Proteins, which soothes and promotes healing for animals (and people) of all ages. With ingredients like Aloe Vera Gel, Eucalyptus Oil, and Chamomile Extract this shampoo is a natural remedy for ridding fleas and ticks, while stopping the itch cycle on contact.
Consider using a high quality tick collar!
In addition to common topical flea and tick medications or an oral medication provided by your vet – consider using an insect repellent collar. Seresto flea and tick collars are an easy to use, non-greasy, odorless way to protect your dog or cat for up to 8 months, and they’ll last through swimming and sun exposure. With two active ingredients, these collars are specifically formulated to repel and kill ticks, larvae and nymphs on contact, no painful biting required.
Buy Online: Seresto Collars for Cats, Small Dogs, Large Dogs
Familiarize yourself with the common signs of bug bites and tick borne illness;
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fever
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redness and swelling
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skin that is hot to the touch
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loss of appetite
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painful or swollen joints
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lameness that comes and goes
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swollen lymph nodes
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lethargy
And seek medical attention if you notice one or more symptoms, as catching and treating Lyme disease early can help prevent damage to the kidneys, nervous system, and heart!