Don’t you just love Straya?
Not only do the warmer months bring delightful creatures like mozzies, flies the size of your head, creepy crawlies and wriggly sticks out of the woodwork, they also brings ticks.
Ticks can be quite the problem for our pets.
And unfortunately, in the Highlands they are prevalent and a big risk factor to the health of our dogs and cats.
So, what can we do to minimise the risk for our furry friends?
We chatted to the team at Bong Bong Veterinary Hospital who gave us some good advice about prevention and what to do if you find a nasty tick on your pet.
What are ticks?
Ticks are teeny tiny bloodsucking parasites that thrive in bushland and forests.
They are less than 1cm in size so can be quite tricky to spot.
You’ll find them mostly hanging out in long grasses waiting to find an animal they can attach themselves to – sneaky buggers!
Their saliva stops their hosts’ blood from clotting and also contains a toxin designed to anesthetise the animal they’re attached to.
That’s when things can get messy….
There are three main types of ticks to keep an eye out for in the Southern Highlands. There’s the bush tick, brown dog tick and the paralysis tick. The paralysis tick is the only tick that will make your pet sick. It’s dangerous because of the speed at which it can cause severe illness in your pet and if we don’t get to it in time, sadly it can cause death.
So what do we need to look out for?
It’s good to check your pet daily, especially if they’ve joined the family on a bushwalk or been outside for a long period of time.
Run your hands firmly over your pet and feel for any small bumps or anomalies and make sure to feel around in any tucked away places like under the collar, between toes and inside their ears. The head and front half of the body is the most likely place, but they can turn up anywhere on your pet’s body.
It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms pets display if they have a tick.
Early detection is key.
Look out for vomiting, gagging, difficulty breathing, a change in your pet’s bark or meow, wobbly back legs and inability to stand, and refusing food.
GROSS [but necessary] PICTURE ALERT!! This is a parasite tick below – yuck!
Prevention is better than cure!
There are loads of good tick prevention products on the markets these days.
For cats, Bong Bong Veterinary Hospital recommends the long acting spot on preparations.
For dogs that swim regularly they recommend tablets which can either be given monthly or every three months depending on the product. For dogs that are hard to tablet and don’t swim daily, the spot on preparations can be given.
Anyone who lives in the Southern Highlands with a pet should be on top of tick prevention. If you’re not sure where to start or which prevention product will work best for your pet, chat to your vet because it’s important to get it right.
So, what do we do if we come across a tick?
Time is of the essence people so remove it!
And remove it fast!
The vets at Bong Bong Veterinary Hospital recommended using fine tipped or pointed tweezers and grabbing the tick as close to the skin as possible. You can also buy a handy little gadget called a tick twister to remove ticks.
Gently pull the tick out with steady pressure – try not to squeeze the tick as you pull it out – and then clean the area around the tick bite. Then keep an eye on your pet for any of those symptoms mentioned earlier.
If you’re unsure or even if you just want peace of mind, take your pet to your vet and have him or her checked. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Here’s a list of local vets like Bong Bong Veterinary Hospital in the Southern Highlands if you need to reach out to one.
Bong Bong Veterinary Hospital is located in Bowral and provides care for small animals, farm animals and equines. The team is experienced, passionate and super friendly.
Oh, and have you seen their Insta page? Talk about animal cuteness overload. To find out more about this wonderful Highlands vet practice head to their website, give them a call, or check out their socials here and here.
