TICKS - are increasing BIG time in the Ottawa Area

TICKS in the Ottawa area - as posted by vet, Saye Clement on Facebook - "send out the word about ticks being bad this year. Warm winter combined with lots of deer and lots of wild turkeys (who knew!), and ground hogs, will likely lead to huge numbers of ticks on dogs (and people!). If people find ticks, have them email me a photo at the office. Thanks!!"  This vet is at the Carling Animal Hospital in Ottawa.  She is doing an informal study of ticks in this area. She's asking that you do one of two things; take a picture and email it to her (if you plan on having your vet send it off for Lyme testing), or if not, put it in a leak proof bottle with some rubbing alcohol and send it/drop it off to her.


So am passing along the word -

website is - for address/email info
http://www.carlinganimalhospital.com/


you and also read here ...

http://ottawa.ca/en/health_safety/conditions/lyme/

There are two great tick removal tools.  One is sold at Lee Valley Tools called a Tick Key, the other is a Tick Twister.

So far this year in grooming dogs, I've found one earlier than normal.  Last year a client's dog got one in a city park/green space area in the west/sound end of Ottawa.


The Ottawa Health site advises what to do for yourself, but my concern in writing this is for our animals.  Stay out of long grass, keep to trails, and check your dog well for ticks.  Their favorite spots tend to be around the head/ears, neck, chest.  All because the dog is usually nosing down in the grass :)  However feel/check everywhere.  Consider talking to your vet about the various preventative meds available for this time of year too.


And don't forget your cats if you let them out.