Mary Allen
So far, you’ve probably tested your dog for ticks mostly from spring to fall. But in winter, you should be careful – the new winter tick is to blame.
It has a back shield covered with marble in brown tones, it is active already at temperatures of about four degrees, and even the night frost does not stop it.
The winter tick with the scientific name Dermacentor reticulatus, also called the color tick, primarily bites dogs and horses.
Protect Dogs and Cats From Ticks All Year Round
This is why from now on you must protect your dog or cat from ticks all year round.
Because the spotted mite, in addition to the usual diseases transmitted by ticks, is also a carrier of babesiosis, a disease that was previously only known from abroad: it leads to high temperatures and destruction of red blood cells, which leads to the death of the animal.
Veterinarians should now consider this infectious disease if the animal is anemic and has a high fever, even if the patient has not been abroad yet. If an acute illness is recognized quickly, the animal has a chance to survive.
Inspect Coat After a Walk
Tick protection includes examining the animal after each walk by combing and brushing the coat, as well as preventive measures. For this, the owner of the animal can prescribe drugs in advance. They are available in pill form, like a collar, or to be sprayed onto the skin. Recommend buying drugs from a pharmacy or veterinarian.