Dog Owners, Beware: Ticks in Feeding Frenzy After Mild Winter
Vets warn pet owners that ticks are already thriving—and thirsty—after a warmer Illinois winter.
A particular, pesky arachnid is popping up and latching on earlier than ever this spring, and some veterinarians are ticked off. After a mild winter, ticks are back in full force and preying on area canines. One local vet said he has seen more tick-infested dogs this spring than he has in 10 years of practice in the area. "For the most part, ticks had been ignored," said Dr. Benjamin Welbourne, of Oak Forest Animal Clinic. "This season, we're already pulling a lot of ticks out of dogs." Ticks are most prominent in spring and summer, and Welbourne said most years, ticks would drop out of sight by fall. But warmer temperatures kept them lingering and looking for a blood meal well into December. This April, after a few months off, the ticks …
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Richard Pollack
6:57 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
All very good advice. Finding and promptly removing ticks (from a person or pet) can dramatically reduce risk of infection. Once the tick has been removed, have it identified. Only certain kinds of ticks can transmit the agents of Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Other ticks may transmit other infections. The longer the tick is attached, the greater the risk of infection. Physical … more ›