Ticks and Tick-Borne Disease: Checking, Removing, Preventing

Ticks are parasites that latch onto animals to feed on their blood, potentially transmitting serious diseases in the process. They are often found in long grass, woodland, and areas with high wildlife activity, but can also be present in gardens. A daily 'tick check'—running your hands over your pet's body, especially around the ears, neck, head, and between the toes—is a vital preventive step.

Feel for small, round bumps that may look like a skin growth or a small bean. A tick can be as small as a pinhead or larger once engorged with blood. Early detection is important because many tick-borne pathogens require several hours or even days of attachment to transmit to the host. Do not wait for your pet to show signs of irritation before checking.

Incorrect removal can increase the risk of infection or leave parts of the tick behind. Use a dedicated tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible and pull upwards with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.

Never use a lit match, alcohol, petroleum jelly, or try to squeeze or 'suffocate' the tick. These methods can cause the tick to regurgitate infected fluids into the pet's bloodstream. Once removed, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. If you are unsure or the head remains lodged, contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Ticks can transmit several serious conditions, including Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Ehrlichiosis. Symptoms often do not appear immediately and may include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, lameness (sometimes shifting between different legs), and swollen joints. Some animals may show no symptoms for weeks or even months after the bite.

Lyme disease in particular can cause kidney problems if left untreated. Babesiosis, transmitted by certain tick species, can cause the body to attack its own red blood cells, leading to pale gums, dark urine, and jaundice. Because these symptoms can mimic many other illnesses, tell your veterinarian if you have found a tick on your pet or have visited areas where ticks are prevalent.

Year-round preventive treatment is the most effective way to protect your pet. Options include oral tablets, spot-on treatments, and collars, which work by either repelling ticks or killing them shortly after attachment. Discuss the most suitable option for your pet's species, age, and lifestyle with your veterinarian, as some products for dogs are highly toxic to cats.

In your environment, keep grass short and clear leaf litter to reduce tick habitats. If you live in a high-risk area, consider fencing off parts of the garden where wildlife like deer or hedgehogs might frequently pass. While prevention significantly reduces risk, no product is 100% effective, so regular physical checks remain necessary throughout the year.

Ticks progress through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. They need a blood meal at each stage to survive. While they are most active during the warmer months (spring through autumn), they do not disappear in winter; some species remain active whenever temperatures are above freezing. Climate changes are also affecting tick distributions, bringing them into new geographical areas.

Nymphs are particularly dangerous because they are very small (about the size of a poppy seed) and difficult to spot, yet they can still transmit disease. Awareness of local tick activity and consistent use of preventives help manage the risk year-round, protecting both your pet and the humans in your household from zoonotic infections.