Read the Disclaimer . In my practice area, April, May, and June are the peak months of tick activity. We have started to see the nasty little buggers cropping up in the last few days. Not only are they aesthetically unpleasant, ticks can transmit several serious diseases to your dog AND you. Today we will take a look at these external parasites, and the troubles they can bring.
Ticks are common arthropod parasites that feed entirely on blood.
Ticks are particularly common in wooded areas, but can be found in even the most well manicured suburban yard. Adult ticks attach to the dog's skin, feeding on blood over the course of several days. It is during this period of attachment that disease transmission can occur. Lyme's disease is the most well-known tick transmitted disease, and can affect dogs as well as people. The disease was first recognized about 25 years ago in Lyme, Connecticut.