Ticks are present in virtually every state in the country - every country in the world. They are an inevitable part of being active outside the home - and in some cases, even inside the home.
While your veterinarian is the best resource for learning how to protect your pet from ticks, there are general practices and observations that can minimize their impact.

Learn when ticks will be present in your area

Depending on where you live, ticks may be present in your area from several months of the year up to all year long. Tick "season" is related to several factors including temperature, humidity and the availability of potential hosts. Because of this, in many areas conditions are favorable for ticks to flourish in the spring and fall.

The information on tickalert.com incorporates very specific weather information to provide a tick forecast for every zip code in the country. Your veterinarian will also have historical information about tick infestations from previous years.

Look around your home

Do you see piles of leaves or brush? Do you see an area with tall grass close to a wooded area? Do you have a patio or deck with grass or brush underneath?

If so, you are giving ticks a great place to live and reproduce. These types of areas provide ticks with protection, warmth, moisture and opportunities to ambush potential hosts.

If possible clean these areas up and keep grasses trimmed back. If this is not feasible, frequently treat these areas with approved environmental tick control products. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend safe and effective products.

Prevent ticks from attaching to your pet

Your veterinarian is the best resource for information on safe and effective tick control products for your pets. Pet store personnel, for example, have little knowledge of ticks -- or how various products work alone, or in conjunction with others to prevent ticks.

And absolutely, DO NOT USE any human insect repellent on your pet. These are lethal to pets and cause convulsions and death. Also, what may be effective on dogs, can be fatal to cats.

The most important factor in selecting a tick control product for your dog is whether or not the product actually prevents tick attachment. Ticks are able to transmit harmful diseases to dogs if they are allowed to attach and feed for sustained periods of time.

One tick control product, the Preventic® Collar for dogs is proven effective in preventing tick bites and, in a clinical study, was demonstrated to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease from infected ticks. The Preventic Collar is unique in that it not only prevents ticks from attaching, but also actually causes attached ticks to detach. The Preventic Collar is relatively inexpensive, lasts for 3 months and is available through licensed veterinarians. For more information on Preventic Collars please click here.

Preventic Collars are not recommended for use on cats. To learn more about safe and effective tick control products for cats please contact your veterinarian.

Perform frequent tick checks

Frequently inspect your pet for ticks from head to tail and be sure to look at areas where ticks may attach and hide, such as the head and neck area, inside the ears, between the toes, and armpits. If you have a long-haired dog, you may have to go by feel. If your dog has ticks, do not try to remove them by brushing as this may leave the ticks head and mouth parts attached causing an infection at the attachment site.

Removing attached ticks

If you find an attached tick on your pet please follow these steps:

1. Don't panic.
   
   
2. Using a pair of pointed precision tweezers, grasp the tick by the head or mouthparts right where they enter the skin. DO NOT grasp the tick by the body.
   
   
3. Without jerking, pull firmly and steadily directly outward. DO NOT twist the tick out or apply petroleum jelly, a hot match, alcohol or any other irritant to the tick in an attempt to get it to back out. These methods can backfire and even increase the chances of the tick transmitting the disease.

® Preventic is a registered trademark of Virbac. © 2004 Virbac Animal Health