What are strategies to minimize the risk of a dog being bitten by a tick?
Original Question: Hamilton is a high-risk zone for ticks. Is there a low risk area in the Golden Horseshoe area that is low risk -- for a day trip? - Jim
May 17, 2018
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your question.
If I told you an area that was lower risk, it doesn’t mean your dog still couldn’t get ticks. So regardless of the area you go to, my suggestion is to adapt your routine to minimize the possibility of getting a tick regardless of the area you visit. There are a few ways to do this.
- I would recommend that you do not visit wooded areas or places with tall grasses. The ticks climb to the edge of these things and grab onto anything walking by. Avoiding these areas is a good idea.
- Keep your dog on a leash and stick to defined paths instead of walking through dense vegetation.
- Check your dog every night for ticks very thoroughly. Removing a tick within 24 hours will eliminate the possibility of that tick transferring Lyme disease to your dog.
- Consider buying protective clothing for your dog. You can find a variety of items online for this purpose.
- Discuss preventive medications with your veterinarian as an option and request one that prevents ticks from biting your dog at all.
By employing these strategies, you’ll greatly reduce or eliminate the chance of your dog getting a tick regardless of where you visit.
I hope this helps.
Dr. Clayton Greenway
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