I climb on hairy creatures and humans and suck their blood to quench my thirst. They don’t always see me bouncing around with my mates, because I am a small brown parasitic organism. I carry dreadful diseases like Lyme disease, tularaemia and anaplasmosis. What am I?
Correct! The answer to the riddle is: A Tick (TICKet to trouble)
Did you know?
There are more than 800 species of ticks throughout the world. Two families of ticks, Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks) cause illnesses like tick bite fever.
How to remove ticks from pets?
Note: Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, or alcohol. That doesn’t work!
WARNING: Don’t flush ticks down the toilet, because they will survive the journey through the sewerage pipes.
How can you prevent ticks from sucking blood?
Speak to your vet about a suitable tick-&-flea treatment from your best bud…especially warmer months approach. If you and your pets spend a lot of time outdoors in rural areas, you should check for ticks before you return indoors. Ticks are sneaky little buggers and they will hide in odd places like in ears, paws or under the chin and eyes of your barking buddy.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when hiking. Some insect repellents can also be sprayed to prevent ticks from hopping onto you and your furry friends.
What to do if you suspect that you or your pet might have tick bite fever?
Tick bite fever is no joke and definitely not a walk in the park. Consult your doctor or your vet if you suspect that you or your pet might be at risk.
Protect your BFF – get dotsure.co.za Pet Insurance
dotsure.co.za’s covers unexpected vet visits caused by these nasty little buggers (with the exception of the Accidental plan) . If you suspect tick bite fever, visit your vet. Uninsured or covered under the Accidental Plan? Speak to us.
Are you ready for a high-maintenance pet?
Dr. Prinsloo answers your pet questions (Part 1)
Common houseplants that are toxic to pets
DIY ‘Valenswoof’ treats for your furry friend...
SA’s best guard dog breeds
We’ve got hearts in our eyes for Dr. French