The number of infections linked to the diseases carried by ticks is on the rise. These include Lyme disease, TBE, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and babesiosis. Experts estimate that approximately every fourth tick carries pathogens. This number is alarming because ticks have high exposure rates to humans and animals.

Ticks lurk in high grass waiting for their victims

Ticks usually become active as temperatures rise, generally above 46 degrees Fahrenheit. In some regions like New England, tick season peaks twice a year. The first tick season begins around April and lasts through August. The second begins in the fall. But tick seasons and their peak can vary depending on where you are in the United States and just because winters are cold doesn’t always correlate to ticks being inactive.

Ticks mainly live in deciduous forests and mixed woodlands. They sit in grasses and low-lying vegetation waiting for their warm bodies to pass by. A sensory organ on the ticks' front legs called Haller's organ, helps ticks detect a host animal. When found, ticks settle on a host, pierce the skin with their mouths, and suck blood. Ticks can gorge on a host animal for days before dropping off. This bite is where the danger lies. While taking in blood, ticks can transmit microbes and bacteria that can lead to infections and help spread disease.   

Diseases and Illnesses to be weary of

Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia sp. bacteria spread by ticks. In dogs, after they are bitten by a deer or blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), symptoms experienced can include loss of appetite, reduced energy, difficulty breathing, fever, swelling of joints, lameness, and stiffness coupled with an arched back.

Babesiosis, a tick- borne malaria- like illness, is transmitted by same kind of ticks that transmit Lyme disease, ticks of the Ixodidae family comprised of hard ticks and scale ticks. First symptoms of this illness in dogs and cats include exhaustion, lack of appetite, and anemia accompanied by fever and lethargy. If you suspect your pet might have babesiosis, see a vet immediately. Without treatment this disease is lethal.

The same is true of TBE (tick-borne encephalitis, which is viral and not bacterial) Weakness and drowsiness are early warning signals in dogs and cats, followed by high fever and seizures. In its early stages, TBE can be treated with antibiotics. Without treatment TBE leads to fever attacks, fatigue and joint inflammation, and eventually to paralysis. Vaccination is recommended, although unfortunately, it does not offer 100 percent protection. Interestingly enough, TBE is most often diagnosed in animals with a low immune system.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever poses a risk to dogs (and people) across the United States and some parts of Canada. Signs of Rocky Mountain Spotted fever can be non- specific making it more difficult to detect at times. Most affected by this illness experience fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, muscle or joint pain, coughing, hypersensitivity, swelling of the face or legs, wobbling when walking, and/or depression. In severe cases, nosebleeds and focal hemorrhages can occur.

Prevention is our best weapon

Contracting a tick-borne disease is 100% preventable. Preventing a tick bite before it even happens is our best defense against these terrible infections. Follow these quick tips to help prevent

• Clothing. Wearing full length pants, socks and close-toed shoes helps prevent the ticks from finding skin to bite. Light colors also will allow you to see the tick crawling and can remove it before it bites.
• Repellent. There are several repellent types on the market including sprays, ointments, rubs and wearables. There are a variety of chemicals both natural (essential oils and herbs) and synthetic chemicals. Consumers should choose according to their needs however making sure that whatever they are using for themselves and their pets are used and applied correctly.
• Locations and seasons. Generally staying out of tall grass and woodlands during peak tick season which vary from region to region.
• Tick checks. After each walk or time spent outdoors, thoroughly examine yourself and the body of your dog or cat. Remove any ticks immediately yet appropriately (see below).

Tick species

Ticks vary by species and different species are found in different regions, climates, and landscapes across the U.S. Here are some of the ticks you should be aware of, as noted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC¹.)

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are common in over 30 states ranging as far south as Florida, as far north as Maine and as far south west as Texas and North Dakota. These tick populations are especially prevalent in the New England region, Mid- Atlantic and Midwest. A bite from them could cause Lyme disease.

The Brown Dog tick is found in every single continental U.S. state, as well as worldwide. Dogs are the main host of this tick.

The Western Blacklegged tick is found along the Pacific Coast of the U.S. It is especially prominent in Northern California.

The Rocky Mountain wood tick is found in the Rocky Mountain states and southwest California. The CDC specifically mentions that these ticks are found at elevations from 4,000 to 10,5000 feet.

The Lone Star tick is found in states along the entire east coast, parts of the Midwest, and parts of the southern United States.

The Gulf Coast tick is found along the coastal regions of the states along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The American Dog tick can be found in over 35 states, most popularly among the east coast and in the central United States.

What to do if you find a tick

Dealing with a tick on your body or your pet’s body is tricky. If the tick is biting, you may have to decide if you have the appropriate tools and equipment to remove it properly.

Mobile and crawling ticks should be removed immediately. Anyone who handles a tick should wash their hands thoroughly and immediately. If the tick is biting, distinguish if you can remove it properly (with the head intact). If you think it may be embedded with the head full submerged in the skin, you may need tweezers and possible rubbing alcohol. See instructions below for details steps:

How to remove a tick¹:

1. If possible, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. This is done because ticks transmit illness and disease and using this instrument can help protect you from further direct contact and help better your chances of removing the tick’s head. If you notice a tick crawling on you, that has not yet bitten the skin, act quickly to remove the tick as soon as possible. Try to avoid touching it directly with your hand or arm if possible.
2. If a tick has latched to the skin, pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick. This can result in parts of the tick’s mouth to become lodged in the skin which can lead to infection.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area. When removing a tick from a pet, clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands.
4. Dispose of the removed tick by putting it in alcohol, wrapping it in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.

Products are available that both defend against ticks and kill them. ‘Spot-on' tick control products recommended by a vet can protect your pet. Drops are applied to the back of the neck where an animal cannot lick them off. It’s important to mention: in the case of the insecticide 'Permethrin,' dogs tolerate this substance very well, but it is toxic for cats. Read the instruction sheet carefully and do not use the same product to treat dogs and cats.

Spot-on products are recommended, especially for cats, rather than flea collars. For cats, flea collars can get caught when cats roam or climb and commercially available anti-parasite collars do not guarantee 100 percent protection. Each product has an expiry date that must be watched and again, do not use the same products for dogs and cats. Make sure to consult your veterinarian for any questions and concerns you have.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html