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Monthly Special

Can You Spot The Tick?

While ticks may get big after a large meal off your pet, they start off quite small.  The CDC posted these photos – can you spot the ticks amongst the poppyseeds?

 

 

While ticks typically hide in the tall grasses of wooded areas, we have seen patients in urban homes come in this year with multiple ticks on them!  ‘Tis the season for tick population growth so here’s how you can help protect your pets from these nasty parasites.

  • Use a tick prevention product made for your animal
    • Seresto Collars: Available for both dogs and cats, these are the only brand of flea & tick collars veterinarians trust!
    • Nexguard: A tasty chew that will prevent ticks; only available for dogs.
    • Vectra 3D: An over-the-counter, topical flea & tick prevention option; only available for dogs.
      **Please note that tick prevention products designed for dogs are toxic and lethal for cats**
  • Vaccinate for Lyme disease (dogs only)
    • Lyme disease is nothing to mess around with and is transmitted by ticks (usually the deer-tick).  Prevention is your best option as this disease can be devastating for your pet’s health.
  • Minimize yard debris
    • Get rid of any places in your yard that ticks may like to hide.
      • Place wood piles out of reach of your pet
      • Keep your grass and weeds trimmed short
      • Trim back any trees or brush
      • Get rid of any leaf piles
  • Grow plants that deer dislike
    • Deer often will carry ticks into your yard.  Be sure your garden is filled with plants that will deter deer from grazing in your yard.
    • A few examples include:
      • Poppies
      • Sage
      • Daffodils
      • Yarrow
      • Snapdragon
      • Lavender
      • Lamb’s Ear
  • Stay out of long grasses on your walks
    • NE Ohio is full of the beautiful metroparks, but be wary that the enjoyable long hikes could cause both you and your pet to bring home ticks!

We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful spring! If you have more questions or would like to discuss what tick prevention would be best for your individual pet, give us a call at 216-749-7161!  We’d love to help you and your pet get your spring started right with tick prevention!