Sad news here! We got ticks! Yuk Yuk!
Tell your mom to check you for
ticks. There is a bumper crop of ticks here in Arizona because of our warm
climate. We never had ticks before so not sure why we have now but mom is going
crazy with tick search and destroy. So
what are ticks?
Ticks are parasitic arthropods
that feed on the blood of their hosts. They are attracted to warmth and motion,
often seeking out mammals – including dogs. Ticks tend to hide out in tall
grass or plants in wooded areas waiting for prospective hosts. Once a host is
found, the tick climbs on and attaches its mouthparts into the skin, beginning
the blood meal. Once locked in place, the tick will not detach until its meal
is complete. It may continue to feed for several hours to days, depending on
the type of tick. On dogs, ticks often attach themselves in crevices and/or
areas with little to no hair – typically in and around the ears, the areas
where the insides of the legs meet the body, between the toes, and within skin
folds. Most species of ticks go through four life stages - eggs, larvae,
nymphs, and adults. All stages beyond eggs will attach to a host for a blood
meal (and must do so on order to mature). Depending on species, the life span
of a tick can be several months to years, and female adults can lay hundreds to
thousands of eggs at a time.
Here is a link to how to find
and remove a tick:
Here is a link to
more information on tick prevention:
Please check with
your vet about prevention medication. They know what medication your dog is on
and what will be safe to use on your pet.
Our mom uses diatomaceous
earth (food grade) and it works well for us. You can find it at your favorite
pet store or feed shop.
Bobbie, Julee, and
Welsie
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