Useful tips for pet owners on how to identify ticks
NORTHCLIFF– The JSPCA has a dip-bath on their premises that pet owners can use to help get rid of the ticks on their pets.
Johannesburg SPCA Dr Surajpal provides useful information about how to identify ticks on you animals, what steps do take when you do and how to treat your pet.
Dr Surajpal said that even when your dog’s fur is dark, it is still easy to find ticks. After seven days of them feeding on a dog the tick becomes fat and black or blue in colour.
There are several types of ticks found in South Africa and are part of the arachnid family such as other insects like spiders.
“The mouth of a tick is quite complex and is designed to present easy removal from the skin of the host. The most common mistake dog owners make when trying to remove a tick is that they leave part of the head of the tick behind the skin. The head section may cause secondary infection and an abscess,” said Dr Surajpal.
There are symptoms that Dr Surajpal advises pet owners to look out for such as loss of appetite, listlessness and lethargy, pale gums, inside of eyelids almost white and a rapid heartbeat.
Advanced symptoms include dark or red urine, severe lethargy, panting, rapid and weak pulse.
Dr Surajpal said there are some products that pet owners can use to effectively control ticks and fleas such as Frontlines, Advantix, Certifect, Promeris Duo and Ultrum Ultimate.
There is also a collar for dogs and cats that also kills ticks and fleas which lasts for eight months.
“The JSPCA has a dip-bath on our premises which members of the public are welcome to use. It is advisable to maintain monthly tick control to ensure your dogs are tick free throughout the year,” Dr Surajpal concluded.
