This week we’re going to talk about the Black-Legged Tick, also known as the Deer Tick. 

This tick is of particular concern because it spreads Lyme disease. Dogs and humans are both susceptible to this disease.  Cats can get it but it is rare. Lyme disease is a debilitating disease that can be difficult to diagnose.  Early signs of the disease in humans are a rash (sometimes shaped like a target, or bull’s eye which is also known as Erythema migrans), fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. If left untreated Lyme disease may have severe symptoms such as severe headaches, additional rashes, Bell’s palsy, intermittent joint, muscle and tendon aches, a heart disorder known as Lyme carditis, neurological disorders and arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling.

The Black-Legged Tick is a well-known vector of Lyme disease.  First discovered in the 1970s in the area of Lyme, Connecticut, this tick was found mostly in the eastern United States. Originally coming to Canada as a hitchhiker on a bird or a deer, the tick has finally taken hold and is now breeding here, no longer needing a mode of transportation. Researchers in Canada are warning that climate change is causing Canada to become increasingly habitable to the Black-Legged Tick and they expect these ticks to continually migrate to regions all across Canada.

A recent article in the Sachem, a Haldimand County publication, stated that Hamilton and a northern portion of Haldimand County (near Caledonia) have been deemed a risk area and have been added to a Public Health Ontario Lyme disease map which health care workers

 can refer to do during a diagnosis. Hamilton and Haldimand County have both launched an active tick surveillance program to track the number of black legged (deer) ticks in their area, and are no longer accepting ticks from the public for identification. Information about Lyme disease in Brantford can be found at the website of the Brant County Health Unit at https://www.bchu.org and the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation at https://canlyme.com/lyme-prevention/risk-areas/.  Please remember that even outside of known risk areas, Black Legged ticks can be found just about anywhere.

Less susceptible than us to Lyme disease, our 4 legged friends are still at risk when bitten by a Black-Legged tick. Just the same as humans, the disease can show intermittent signs and be difficult to diagnose.  Cats are less prone to contracting Lyme disease, or other tick-borne diseases, because they tend to remove ticks through the grooming process. Dogs are not so lucky. Lyme disease can manifest with achy, painful joints accompanied by lethargy and loss of appetite. In some cases signs may not show for months. In severe cases dogs can develop heart disease, central nervous system disorders and kidney failure.

There are four steps that you as a pet owner can take to reduce the chance of exposure to Lyme disease: 1. Avoidance:  Black-Legged ticks live in wooded, brushy areas, waiting for their host on the tips of low-lying vegetation and shrubs. 2. Tick checks and removal: Check your dog daily for ticks. If you find one that has attached itself within 24 hours it will not have had enough time to transmit Lyme disease. You can remove the tick yourself with a pair of tweezers. Grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible and firmly pull straight out. This should remove the mouth parts. Try not to twist or crush the tick and do not try to kill it by smothering it in Vaseline or nail polish. 3. Tick prevention products: Our veterinarians and staff can help with deciding which one is best for your pet. 4. Vaccination: Vaccinating healthy dogs for Lyme disease as early as 12 weeks of age will protect them from contracting the disease.  Two vaccinations are required 3-4 weeks apart, then once a year after that. A physical examination and discussion with your veterinarian can determine if your dog is a good candidate for Lyme vaccine. 

Here at Scott Veterinary Clinic we can test for exposure to Lyme disease with a Snap 4DX Plus blood test. The Snap 4DX Plus test screens your dog for Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma which are all tick-borne diseases and tests for Heartworm disease as well. If your dog tests positive for Lyme disease further tests can determine if he actually has an active infection.

Contact us today for an appointment for your dog’s blood test. We can usually have the results before you leave the clinic, and flea and tick prevention can be started anytime. There are several flea and tick prevention products, some administered orally and some applied topically. During the summer months they can be used in conjunction with Heartworm prevention products. We can determine which product is best for your canine friend depending on his age, health status, and lifestyle. Since most types of ticks become active at temperatures above 3 degrees Celsius we are now recommending year round use of tick prevention products. 

Over the next few weeks we’re going to talk about the different types of ticks that are found in Southern Ontario.

The newest arrival to the area is the Lone Star tick. As a result of climate change they have made their way to Canada, arriving in just the past couple of years.

You have probably already heard that this tick causes a red meat allergy in humans because of their bite. They carry a sugar molecule in their saliva (commonly known as Alpha-Gal) which causes the infected human to respond with antibodies to attack this molecule. This can cause a serious allergic reaction when eating meat, in which the Alpha-Gal sugar molecule is abundant.

Fortunately for our four-legged friends, this meat allergy isn’t a concern, but the spread of Ehrlichiosis is. It’s a bacterial infection spread by these ticks that can manifest with symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy and bleeding disorders.

Fortunately for you as a pet owner, we can screen your pet for two types of Ehrlichiosis when running your pet’s annual heartworm test.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is an old adage that still holds true. We carry flea and tick products that are easy and safe to use. Some are given orally and some are applied topically and can be used in conjunction with your dog’s heartworm prevention.

Please call us if you have any questions about ticks, or preventative products, or to book your appointment for a Snap 4DX plus heartworm test. It’s a simple blood test that is run in-clinic and we can have results within 10 minutes.

It’s never too early to think about tick control, even in the winter! We had quite a few days in February where temperatures were well above 10 degrees C.  Over the past few years we have seen trends where the temperatures fluctuate frequently from cold to warm and back to cold.  Years ago we would typically have a January thaw and then back to steady cold weather until spring. 

Ticks become active as soon as temperatures reach 3 C, which means every time it warms up they’re lurking in all their usual spots waiting for some one to walk by.  There’s been a huge increase in the tick population in the Brantford area in the past few years and we’re also seeing the arrival of ticks that are native to the American south.   So for any of you who are concerned about ticks and the diseases they may spread when they bite we are now recommending year-round control. This way you won’t have to worry if there are sudden and unexpected temperature spikes during the winter.

Exposure to tick-borne diseases can be determined when we run your dog’s 4DX-plus heartworm test in the spring. Not only does it tell us if there’s been exposure to heartworm which is spread by mosquitos, but it also tells us if your dog has been exposed to Erhrlichia, Anaplasma or Lyme, which are spread by ticks.

If you would like more information about ticks and how to protect your pet please call us. One of our Client Care Representatives will be happy to answer any of your questions and can help to customize a tick control program that best meets the needs of you and your pet. 

Beautiful crisp fall days seem to be behind us now and nasty winter days are coming up fast. We have some cold weather tips to help your pets enjoy the winter season a bit more!

1/ Salty toes : Some salt used on streets and sidewalks is very dangerous for your dogs, and cats as well. Boots are an option, however most pets are not pleased to be wearing them. Giving those toes a little wipe with a dry towel each time they come in from the outdoors will keep their feet in good shape all winter long. This will also give you a quick look at their paws to catch any cuts or scrapes they may get from stepping on a sharp piece of ice. You can look for pet friendly de-icing products wherever you buy salt for your own property.

2/ Freezing temperatures: If it is too cold outside for you to stay out, it is too cold for your pet to stay out for extended periods of time, unless they are a breed adapted to cold climates or have a warm winter coat and accessories. Please bring your pets inside and provide them with a bed to sleep on. Pets should have a bed that is up off of the floor supports them and is away from drafts. An appropriate bed will benefit your pet for years to come and also make them comfy and happy.

3/ Reduce bathing: In the dry winter months you should reduce the amount of times you bathe your dog by half. This is to reduce the effects of dry skin. You may also want to find a moisturizing shampoo that reduces dry skin irritation.

4/ Adjust calories: This adjustment can be up or down depending on your pet’s activity level in the winter months. If your pet loves snow and spends a lot of time playing and running outside he may need more calories. If your pet spends the winter lounging in front of the fire they will most certainly need less calories. Remember it takes more calories to keep warm than it does to cool down.

5/ Snowstorms: Did you know a dog can lose his scent trail and sense of direction in a snowstorm? This is a good reason to keep them on a leash if you are walking in a blizzard.

6/ Antifreeze: Antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets and has a sweet taste so they are attracted to drinking it. Please be cautious with its use and never let pets drink from puddles, they may contain antifreeze.

7/ Christmas: At Christmas time we see the most cases of diarrhea cause by too many treats! Christmas in itself is an entire safety concern for your pet! There are dangers lurking everywhere, including, turkey, chocolate, treats, alcohol, tinsel, electric cords and lights! Please keep your pet in mind when you place these items for the season or for the day. Can your pet access it? If so move it! It will make everyone’s holiday much jollier!                           

8/ Emergencies: Did you know that if you have an emergency or a sick pet after hours, that veterinary care is always available? Our patients can be seen at Brant Norfolk Veterinary Clinic located at 155 Lynden road. 519- 720-0753  They have a veterinarian and support staff available overnight, Saturdays and Sundays and holidays. Basically any time that we are closed they are open and prepared to see your pet and they will also notify us of your visit and send us a complete report.

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It’s that time of year again when mosquitoes, fleas and ticks reappear. Not only are they a nuisance but they carry diseases that can be deadly to our pets.

Heartworm testing is now underway.  Each year we draw a blood sample to verify that your dog is negative for heartworm.  If so, a course of prevention is given over the summer months while mosquitoes are active.  Many of these products have flea and tick protection included.  Some products are oral, and some are topical. There is a wide range of options to suit everyone.

We run the blood tests in clinic using Idexx’s Snap 4DXPlus tests which identify not only heartworm disease, but 5 tick borne diseases: Lyme disease, two types of Anaplasma and two types of Ehrlichia. These tick borne diseases can cause a variety of clinical signs including fever, arthritis, kidney failure, anemia and bleeding disorders. The scary thing about these is that they are zoonotic which means they can also cause disease in humans. The good news is we can run the test during the appointment so you will have the results before you go home.

With the rising number of ticks in our area, we thought this was a great value added test for you!

For those of you who are very busy and enjoy the flexibility of using the web for most of your tasks we now offer a better way to book online appointments! Simply click the “Make an Appointment” button and by following the prompts you will be able to directly access our appointment schedule. No more emailing back and forth trying to figure out what time works best for you. You’ll be able to do it in real time. You can also access your personal file if you need to update information and your pet’s file as well. You can upload photos of your pets, see what medications have been prescribed, and see if they are due for any vaccinations.

It only takes a minute to set things up and it’s very easy to use. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the clinic and we’ll be happy to assist.

This booking feature is also available on our Facebook page.