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Where Do Dog Ticks Come From?
from: The Complete DogDog ticks are creepy blood suckers that get under everyone's skin and suck up anyone they can causing irritation and illness in their victims. Ticks spend most of their lives with their mouths buried inside a mammal's flesh, feeding on their blood. Even though ticks are very small, they expand to about 50 times their normal size after they've finished feeding. Dog ticks are also responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep ticks from feeding on your pet. Here are seven helpful suggestions to keep ticks at bay:
1. Before they get into their victims, ticks like to stay several feet off the ground on top of vegetation along roadsides and paths. They patiently remain there waiting for your dog to come along. In order to give the ticks fewer chances to hop and attach themselves, keep your grass and weeds trimmed to below ankle height.
2. Generally, mature ticks look for large victims, such as your dog. On the other hand, younger ticks usually feed on mice and other rodents until they're old enough to go after larger prey. To help eliminate both old ticks and young ticks, make sure your yard is uninviting to rodents. Secure your trash cans with strong lids and take out any rock piles and brushy cover.
3. When hiking with your pet, stay on the trails and make sure your pet remains with you. Avoid wooded areas and long grasses where ticks are waiting.
4. Before going to an area where ticks are standing by ready to lunge, protect your pet's coat by spraying it with insecticides that can kill ticks on contact. Consult with your vet before you administer the insecticide.
5. If you happen to see ticks, lightly spray your dog with a tick insecticide and then comb his coat using a fine-toothed comb. There are some pet stores that sell combs which are used specifically for ticks and are also great for catching fleas.
6. Sometimes you can actually see the tick while it's feeding on your dog. In this case, quickly remove it. The longer the tick feeds on your dog, the more likely it will transmit Lyme disease and other types of illness.
7. When removing the tick, never use a match or anything that can burn your dog. Making the tick back out using fire doesn't work and could cause harm to you and your pet. The most effective way to remove a tick is by using a pair of tweezers and aiming for the it's head, while gently pulling it out. This way, the tick comes out in one piece and leaves no mess on your pet. For additional protection after removing the tick, rub the infected area with an antibiotic ointment or topical antiseptic.
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