Yes, there are ticks in the Anthem area… quite a few, in fact, and they come bearing potentially dangerous diseases.
This time of year, we see a lot of insects, bugs and spiders running around. One of the most overlooked yet dangerous of them is the tick. There are more than 25 different species of ticks crawling around Arizona and many of them are found right here in the Anthem area. The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sangiuneus) is the most common and can carry many diseases that are potentially dangerous to both you and your pet.
Sneaky Bugs
A common misconception about ticks is that they are easy to spot in your house or on your pet. But because ticks can live for long periods without feeding, they can hide out undetected in crevices around the house and yard. While the lifespan of the brown dog tick is about two years, it only spends two to three weeks of its life feeding. A tick must be attached for 24- to-48 hours before it can spread disease, so it is important to check your pet regularly. If you find a tick, remove it as quickly as possible. Grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up. Apply a dab of alcohol to the spot after removal. It is common for dogs to develop a small bump or scab at the site which may last two to three weeks. (If you are concerned about removing a tick yourself, the staff at Daisy Mountain Veterinary Hospital is more than happy to do it for you.)
The Dangers
The most common tick-borne disease seen in dogs in this area is Ehrlichia canis. This bacteria is transmitted to the pet through the saliva of the tick as it feeds. Most tick-borne diseases in dogs will cause one or more of the following symptoms: lethargy (lack of energy), depression, decreased appetite, weight loss, fever, spontaneous bleeding (especially nosebleeds), bruising on the abdomen and stiff joints or lameness (limping). The dog could be infected for weeks or months before symptoms become evident, so get to your veterinarian’s office quickly once you detect symptoms. A blood test will confirm, and treatment is simple if caught early.
There is a great website that provides an interactive map that allows you to see which diseases are present in your area as well as areas to which you may be traveling.
If you have seen ticks on your pet or in your house, eradication can be difficult and requires long-term, consistent tick protection for all pets in the household. Several good topical products on the market protect against ticks. Contact your veterinarian to pick up an appropriate product. Most pest control companies have products that will kill ticks in the environment, as well.
Dr. Kirstin Young is a doctor of veterinary medicine at Daisy Mountain Veterinary Hospital. Send your pet-related questions to vet@anthemnews.com
Related Link: Tick Check
