A tick-ing time bomb
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Amanda McQueen
As we grew up here in Aroostook County, ticks were never something that even crossed our minds to worry about as we ran through fields and wooded areas with our loving canine friends. They are becoming more and more of an issue we need to worry about for ourselves and our dogs.
Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of unlucky host animals, such as cats and dogs. Like mites and spiders, ticks are arachnids. Although their presence may not even be noticed by the host, ticks can transmit many diseases through their bite. 
Most species of ticks require blood meals from a host to survive. The ticks first bury their head into a host’s skin when they bite and then gorge themselves on blood. They tend to be most active in late spring and summer and live in tall brush or grass, and can be transferred from pets coming into the household from outdoors. They usually prefer to attach close to the head, neck, ears and feet, but can be found anywhere on your pet’s body. Ticks are particularly prominent in warm climates and certain wooded areas of the Northeast.
Most ticks are visible to the naked eye. Ticks are often the size of a pinhead before they bite, and not noticed until they swell with blood. Run your hands carefully over your pet every time he comes inside, and especially check inside and around the ears, head and feet.
If you do find a tick on your pet, it is important to take care when removing it. Any contact with the tick’s blood can potentially transmit infection to your pet or even to you. Prompt removal is necessary, but it is important to stay calm and not rush. Follow these step-by-step tick removal instructions:
Step 1: Prepare – Put on latex or rubber gloves so you’ll never have direct contact with the tick or your pet’s bite area. Because throwing a tick in the trash or flushing it down the toilet will not kill it, you should prepare a screw-top jar containing rubbing alcohol to put a tick in after removal. If possible, enlist a partner to help you distract and soothe your pet and hold her still during removal.
Step 2: Remove – Using a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the animal’s skin as possible. Pull straight upwards with steady, even pressure and place the tick in your jar. Do not twist or jerk the tick. This may leave the mouth-parts embedded in your pet, or cause the tick to regurgitate infective fluids. Do not squeeze or crush the body of the tick, because its fluids may contain infective organisms.
Step 3: Disinfect and monitor – Disinfect the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water, even though you were wearing gloves. Sterilize your tweezers with alcohol or by carefully running them over a flame. Monitor the bite area over the next few weeks for any signs of localized infection, such as redness or inflammation. If infection occurs, please bring your pet — and your jarred tick — to your veterinarian for evaluation.
If you have any questions or concern about removing a tick from your pet, it is best to call your veterinarian as soon as possible. The ASPCA has more important information about ticks.
Many of the same products on the market that treat fleas also kill ticks and prevent against future infestation. Speak to your vet about the best product for your pet. Ensure a tick-free lawn by mowing it regularly, removing tall weeds and making it inhospitable to rodents by keeping garbage covered and inaccessible.
Amanda McQueen is vice president of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
