The year’s seasonal weather patterns in the UK mean tick populations are thriving. For pet owners and their pets, this means increased exposure to ticks and the diseases they can carry, says Frontline Spot On veterinary surgeon, Tanya Leslie

TICKS ARE PARASITES belonging to the spider family and their numbers are rising across the UK due to changes in climate, habitat and increased numbers of hosts. Ixodes ricinus (the sheep or deer tick) is the most widespread and abundant species of tick found in the UK and is the commonest type of tick found on dogs.

Where are ticks found?

Ticks can be found anywhere, from forests to gardens and even vegetation on beaches, but numbers tend to be higher in woodland, moorland, rough pasture and heath land. Once attached to an untreated pet, ticks can live for up to 10 days feeding on the animal’s blood.

What do they look like?

Ticks can vary in shape, colour and size but generally, when unfed, they are oval, flat and small, the size of a sesame seed. Once they are completely engorged with blood they are the size of a coffee bean.

What health problems can ticks cause?

When ticks feed on their host they can transmit a variety of diseases and are second only to mosquitoes in spreading disease. They can also cause irritation and discomfort at the site of attachment and these sites can become infected.

What is Lyme disease?

In the UK and Ireland Lyme disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is the most serious tick-borne disease. This bacteria can be passed to people or pets following a bite from an infected tick.

In dogs, the commonest signs of Lyme disease are fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness and joint swellings. The disease can also affect the nervous system and the heart. In rare cases, serious kidney problems can develop. While treatment usually gives rapid results in the short-term, it is very difficult to get rid of the bacteria, and relapses can occur. Prevention is certainly better than cure.

How are ticks treated?

Regular treatment throughout the year with a flea and tick protection such as Frontline Spot On will help to control ticks and safeguard pets. When treating for ticks, the treatment should be applied every four weeks. Application should be directly onto the pet’s skin (not the fur) at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades, where the pet cannot lick it off.

Owners should carefully examine their dogs after walks to identify and remove ticks, as removal within 48 hours of attachment helps to reduce the risk of disease transmission. If they find a tick, the use of tweezers or burning and freezing should be avoided as this may lead to regurgitation of the tick’s stomach contents into the host and increase the risk of disease transmission. The best way to remove a tick is with a tick remover with advice from a vet.

For more information and advice on tick prevention, visit uk.frontline.com.