by Dr. Christian Jones
As a Veterinarian in Calgary, I get asked nearly daily about parasite prevention for dogs and cats. I would like to briefly talk about ticks and tick prevention for your furry family members. Ticks are the most common external parasite of dogs in the Calgary area. Tick season locally is typically from April to October, but they are active anytime the weather is above four degrees. You do not need to leave the city to come across ticks, as every year I see numerous dogs come in to have ticks removed after being in Fish Creek Park or in off-leash areas. Ticks are parasites in the same family of spiders who get nutrients by latching onto an animal or person and feeding on their blood. An adult tick will be roughly the size of a sesame seed so are difficult to see, but will grow as they feed, with some getting larger than a raisin. Ticks can both cause irritation and discomfort to a pet, as well as transmit numerous diseases, such as Lyme Disease. Make sure to check your animal for ticks after going for walks in grass longer than 4 inches (10 cm), or after your animal comes in contact with trees or bushes. Ticks will tend to attach between the toes, in the ear, armpit, and groin areas of animals, but can attach anywhere. For the best prevention methods, talk to your vet about products that repel and/or kill these parasites before they can transmit diseases. If you find a tick on your pet, call your vet, as we will want to remove the tick and send it to the lab to test for Lyme disease.
