Jordan Doherty
As Victorians return to the great outdoors with their pets this summer to enjoy the warm weather, RSPCA Victoria is calling on pet owners, including those in Brimbank, to protect their animals from tick bites, particularly as supplies of tick bite serum run low across Australia.
While tick bites can happen year-round, they are more prevalent during warm, humid weather.
Tick bites can have serious repercussions and can lead to Tick Paralysis and Tick Fever.
If left untreated, both diseases can be fatal, so it is vital that pet owners keep their pets safe from tick-borne illnesses.
RSPCA Victoria’s chief vet, Dr Bronwyn Oke says prevention is better than a cure, “There are several straightforward ways to protect your pet from ticks, including topical ointments, tablets and chews, or even a simple tick collar.
“It’s also much quicker and easier to find a tick or bite on a dog when they have a clean coat so keeping your dog groomed when you’re in an area with a high tick population can be a lifesaver for your pet.”
There are multiple easy steps, owners can take to keep their pets safe from ticks, such as:
· Avoiding areas that are likely to have high tick populations.
These include coastal areas, forests, compost piles, bush and scrubland.
· Using topical or oral treatments or a tick collar if tick habitats are unavoidable.
These treatments provide effective protection for animals.
· Keeping existing protective treatments up to date.
It is crucial that owners choose an appropriate treatment for their pet.
Some tick control products for dogs are highly toxic to cats.
· Checking their animal’s coat regularly.
Examine the animal’s skin for bite marks that resemble a crater. Ticks that have not yet bitten the animal may also be hidden in the animal’s fur.
Owners who find a tick and are not confident to remove it without exacerbating the bite can take the animal to the vet where it can be safely removed and immediate care can be provided.
