Ticks are small insects, very patient and with one main purpose in life - to propagate their species. To accomplish that task, they choose warm-blooded animals, such as companion dogs and cats, as their hosts.
Many people are under the impression that the recent rains in the area have caused an explosion in the tick population. According to veterinarian Mark Heinrich, rain can help, but even dry conditions are conducive to ticks, which have always been a problem.
"It's not all of a sudden. It's always been an issue," Heinrich said, speaking of tick infestation.
"Fleas are more driven by moisture," he added.
For example, pet owners could have found two or three ticks last year and have a full blown infestation this year. Last year's ticks multiplied and wintered over in the ground.
"It's so important not to treat your dog or cat just once and think it is OK. Think preventive," Heinrich said, adding that complacency won't rid pets of ticks. The animal and its environment should be treated several times to kill the larvae and eggs.
Flea and tick shampoo kills them, but doesn't last long at all. Flea and tick powder has gone by the wayside, being replaced by the newest and latest spot-on treatments. Many of the over-the-counter spot-on treatments are insecticide and include chemicals that cause varying side effects, one of which is severe allergic reaction.
"What I recommend is getting a product from your vet. The product may cost a little more, but is more effective than those over-the-counter products," he said.
People think there are different kinds of ticks when they see little dark ones and then larger fat, lighter colored ones. They are the same kind of tick, just in different stages of development.
"The small black ticks are all babies. The large swollen ones are females taking a blood meal. They are full of blood and eggs," Heinrich said.
"These are mostly brown dog ticks," he added.
The ticks that prefer ears are called cattle ear ticks and are mostly found on the outskirts of town or in the country, he explained.
A dangerous disease, canine ehrlichiosis, is caused by the bacterium ehrlichia canis and is transmitted by the brown dog tick. Mild signs appear to mimic a vague illness, the most obvious sign of which is weight loss. Severe cases of canine ehrlichiosis that go undiagnosed and untreated can end in death.
The most common signs of canine ehrlichiosis are fever, runny eyes and nose, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, swollen lymph glands, eye disease, retinal bleeding, spontaneous nose bleeds, bruising on gums and belly and swelling of limbs.
A dog with ehrlichiosis may have a few of these symptoms. The animal does not have to have all the symptoms to have the disease.
"It is a multi-systemic disease and it can be fatal," Heinrich said.
"People can get it as well," he added.
Heinrich explained that if an owner brings in a sick dog, the first order of business is to run a complete blood count. If the test shows anemia or low platelets, it is a clue to check for ehrlichiosis.
"People come in and say 'my dog has a nose bleed,'" he said. This is a good indication it could be ehrlichiosis.
If the tests are positive, treatment for the disease is shots or pills. Another test within a year and a half could still possibly register a positive result.
Although Lyme disease can also affect dogs, it is not a problem in the state at the present time, he explained.
Reminder: Check pets for ticks and fleas as well. Be diligent and think preventive. Treat the animal and its environment several times. Its environment can be its bed, favorite hiding or napping place and the house, because of carpet, and the yard. Contact a veterinarian of choice for the latest spot-on treatment.