[UK] Ticks found on 'one third' of dogs, researchers say

[AndyPR]

Almost a third of dogs checked at random across the UK were found to be carrying a tick, researchers say.

The finding comes from the largest survey of ticks in dogs.

Researchers also found that the risk of an animal picking up a tick is as great in urban areas as in rural ones.

Ticks can carry a range of diseases including Lyme disease, and also a parasite discovered in the UK for the first time earlier this year that is potentially fatal to dogs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37252925

 

[Skippa]

I try to be quite kind to nature, even letting wasps live alongside me.

But there are two creatures that carry an automatic death sentence in my kingdom... mosquitos and ticks.

Grrr.

 

[charles shepherd]

Ticks, dogs and Lyme disease:

Interesting item of veterinary research being reported on the BBC today:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37252925

Key messages:

1 There are ways of protecting dogs from ticks - our Labrador has a regular monthly Frontline tablet:
http://heavy.com/pets/2015/05/best-flea-and-tick-prevention-dogs-collar-topical-frontline/

2 Check your dog for ticks after it has been in an 'at risk' area - woodland or long grass for example

3 Don't try to remove ticks on animals using tweezers or other do it yourself methods - use a special tick hook:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OTOM-TICK-TWISTER-pack-2/dp/B004M5O9TW

4 Animals can become ill following tick bites - just like humans with Lyme disease

Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, MEA

 

[slysaint]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37252925

Just heard this on the radio.......BBC Radio 2 including brief 'interview' with someone who had Lyme.
EDIT: they will be discussing this on the Jeremy Vine show Radio 2 sometime between 12 and 2.

 

[msf]

It´s always depressing to contrast the matter-of-factness of the veterinary approach to Lyme (or other chronic bacterial infections) with that of doctors. I guess that´s because dogs aren´t very good at politics.