Ticks

[Alittlefrustrated]

This seems to be a terrible year for ticks. I walk a dog, twice a week, for a relative. He walks on an extending lead, but loves to run in the bushes and through the grass. He is picking up multiple ticks every single time. I find them crawling out of his fur (he has regular spot on treatment, which seems to stop them attaching). Does anyone use an effective deterrent, to stop them even getting in his fur? I've been bitten several times 🤮I'm using a flea comb after every walk. This never happened with my own dog, who was walked in all the same places!

I do not use spot on treatments, but do put scalibor collars on the dogs when I go out in areas where I know there will be ticks and especially after wet weather.

I sometimes think you have to accept there will be ticks on their coats, but the treatments stop them sucking or die if they do latch on.

I think they're attracted to some dogs more than others. I took two dogs to the same place the other day, mine had four ticks on him, the other had none, lol.

I just check and remove after every walk - I just see it as part of having a dog.

I think ticks carry Lymes disease so if you've been bitten, please be careful, it's a horrible disease. One of my dogs had ticks attached to him twice - once on the eyebrow, one on the winkie! The vet removed them with a special twist off device but didn't charge and didn't suggest any onward treatment really, as long as the bite site looked normal. They're obviously less of an issue for dogs.

Thanks everyone - I live in the northeast, and it definitely isn't the norm here. I had a dog for 17 years, and my family have always had dogs. Prior to this, my own dog was the only to have ever picked them up, and that was only once, on holiday on the moors (where we went every year!). I've spoken to pets at home re deterrent sprays, but they don't think they work well (though they sell them) . It seems, doggy walks will have to become more boring. I found lots on him after walking at a NT property - about a dozen!

Unfortunately the wet, humid weather we've been having of late is a tick's paradise so they're absolutely everywhere. I've noticed a real surge in deer ticks in particular over the last few years, though the generic type are rife as well.

I've had some success with products similar to this:
https://www.hugglepets.co.uk/product/trixie-insect-shield-dog-vest/?attribute_pa_size=small-40-53&gad_source=1
The brand I originally used was an American one called Insect Shield but I can't seem to find them in the UK any longer. The above is pretty much the same thing though, being a permethrin vest. They also do bandana style ones if that's more your thing.

I believe companies like Craghoppers and Rohan also do tick repellent clothing for people, so may be worth looking into if you're getting bitten regularly. I've a relative and know of a few other groomers who have Lymes and it's really unpleasant.

I use seresto collars - haven’t had any ticks with them on, usually get one or two a week without them.

I was going to start this thread!! My poor beautiful girl had bloody nine on her this morning - NINE!! And those are just the ones I could find! She has long fur so you can never be sure of getting them all! I've never known her to have more than 3 at once though. I saw one crawling on my boss' dog today too and whipped it off quick before it could bite him. Beastly things.

My aunt's dog has some sort of medication which stops the ticks attaching. Sadly you can't give it to humans.

The lack of deer culling over recent years has led to an increase of ticks, especially in upland areas, most of which are in the north.

Do not change the walks, just accept ticks are a part of having a dog. After every walk, certainly when the dog has been off lead, you should check your dog all over, for thorns, especially in its paws, all over for ticks and other bites, plus grass seeds inbetween toes. It takes a few minutes.

I'm not sure why finding a few ticks means you have to change walks?

If your dog is treated then the risk of a bite is minimal, you just need to check and remove them as necessary and do the same for yourself when you get back to the car and again when you get home just in case.

Mine gets ticks on him every summer, it really is just part of having a dog. I do get that you've not encountered it much before but don't let it stop you exploring and having fun with your pup ☺️

It is a vicious season.

I pulled four out of my boy last week. Still ended up with a £200 OOH vets bill (would have been more but my sister is my dogs vet) because I missed one! I check him (and my others) daily. He’s very prone but he’s had two nasty infections, including one that made him collapse in the middle of the night in pain, in the last two months that have required antibiotics.

Despite walking in woods and long grass daily we haven't had any so far this year (touch wood).

In previous years, pretty much all the ticks my girls have acquired have been holiday souvenirs!

We’re in tick country. I use a seresto collar now and none since.

We get a tick/flea pill from the vet now which has made a huge difference. Previously had just a flea tablet & he got lots of ticks but this seems to have hugely reduced them. He rarely has them now.

Seresto collar.

As long as they are not attaching then all is well, but yes... nasty little sorts.

If you do find a tick that has attached, it is really important to remove it properly, otherwise your dog can get a nasty disease like Lyme disease. Even humans too.

To remove a tick correctly, do not use Vaseline, heat or anything else that could shock the tick. Most of the commonly mentioned tick removal methods are a bad idea. Here is some useful into about how to safely do it https://www.dfordog.co.uk/blog/how-to-remove-a-dog-tick.html

I give my dog Nexgard every month. So I occasionally catch one roaming through her hair, but any that latch on die immediately.

Nexguard flea and tick monthly tablet from vets. Works a treat

I’m in New England and we give our dog Nexguard. We also check him over during and after walks.

I pull ticks off my cats almost daily but rarely do they actually embed themselves in the dog.