Mild winter extends tick season, protecting your pets from the pest

Don’t think tick season has ended just yet! Despite the snow fall this week, the lingering effects of the mild winter means those disease-carrying pests are sticking around which could affect our animals.

While it’s a significant worry for dog owners, it’s crucial to emphasize that these pests also pose a threat to humans.

Vets urge you to stay aware of the risks for both you and your furry friend.

“With those tick active, you are much more likely to see them and encounter them if you’re out hiking yourself or out with your dog,” says Director at rum Village Nature Center Garry Harrington.

Many ticks typically become inactive below 35 degrees or in snowy conditions.

They’ll curl up and hide in a semi-hibernation state, quickly becoming active once temperatures rise.

Temperatures must stay below 10 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period to kill ticks.

However, with a mild winter that’s been difficult.

Ticks can also carry several potentially harmful diseases.

The most common, Lyme Disease.

Dogs are not the only ones at risk; humans can also contract diseases from tick bites.

“It causes fever. It causes animals to feel lousy, in a small percentage of cases, it actually causes kidney failure,” says Executive Medical Director Emergency Veterinarian Care Centers Lisa Palazzi.

It only takes a tick a little over 24 hours on the skin to transmit Lyme, and just hours or even a few minutes for other infections.

Experts explain the number one place people will encounter ticks is against vegetation and recommend trying to stay away.

“If you can keep your pet on the trail and not know your dog is rubbing against vegetation, that’s the number one way to keep them from getting a check or for a person,” says Harrington.

Officials also recommend keeping your dog on tick prevention year-round and checking your animal’s fur after walks in grassy areas.

“Checking in the ears, brushing their entire coat, making sure, you don’t see anything,” says Palazzi.

Veterinarians recommend immediately removing ticks from yourself or your pet.

They also say to keep an eye on the bite area, and if you observe any changes, visit your local doctor.

.