#MiddleburyCT #Dogs #Cats #Ticks
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog, Happy, and I went hiking this weekend, and when we got back to the car, I did the usual check for bugs and burrs on his long coat. I was shocked to find 12 tiny ticks clinging to his fur. I brushed them off and found five more scurrying around my boot laces. These are baby ticks, right? Should I be worried about tick bites for both of us? – Karl M., Roanoke, Virginia
DEAR KARL: You should continue to be vigilant over the next few days, but don’t worry too much – unless Happy shows signs of illness. Doing a “tick check” after each trip outdoors is important, and you did exactly what you needed to do.
Over the next few days, brush through Happy’s coat frequently to dislodge any additional ticks. Newly hatched ticks are indeed tiny and hard to see. Run your hand through Happy’s coat so that you can check his skin for visible bites or lodged ticks. If you notice a bull’s-eye rash around an area, contact the veterinarian.
If you haven’t treated your hiking boots or clothing with permethrin yet, now is the time to do so. Spray the treatment outside, away from Happy or any other animal, and do not let Happy near those clothes until they have dried completely. The permethrin will stay effective through a few washes.
To keep ticks out of the house, follow similar procedures to flea prevention. Give Happy a regular flea and tick preventative, vacuum and mop the house regularly, and terminate any ticks you find.
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