Tick Talk

In the last few years ticks have really moved into urban areas, they aren’t just in the mountains anymore. They also are in more urban areas because wildlife are more in urban areas. As ticks migrate into urban areas, we need to be more diligent in protecting our pets and us from them.

Ticks carry multiple diseases including Lyme. Dogs can bring ticks into our homes and then those ticks can pass diseases to us. So, it’s important that they are protected from ticks to help protect us in return. Ticks are sneaking little creatures; they jump on to dogs by sitting in long grass and sticking out their legs then when dogs fluffy fur pass by they latch on. They bury through the dogs fur and latch on to their skin where they start sucking. This is where those tick products work as they start feeding, they get the product ingested and then they die off.

Ticks are so hardy they can survive cold weather, warm weather, they can live months without food they can even live months to a year without oxygen!  Ticks in Alberta need at least 2 weeks of -40 temperatures to die. In recent years we haven’t even dipped into the -30s for more than a few days so these ticks are living year-round now. Years like this year where we have a big melt to early in the year exposes grass and wooded areas that these ticks like to live in.

Since the temperatures are also above 4 degrees that means the ticks are active in these wooded areas. By protecting our dogs during peak seasons like spring summer and fall we are in turn helping to protect us since we are much more active in those seasons. Years like this when winter is warmer we may have to even be using tick products earlier or later in the season.

Asking your veterinary team when and if it’s the right time to start your monthly treatments is important. Helping protect your pets helps protect you and your family while you out and about on your adventures!