There has been a lot of coverage in the news about the emergence of new tick diseases in the UK with cases of the tick bourne disease Babesia canis being found in dogs in Harlow, Essex. It is unclear as to whether this is set to become an emerging threat for the whole of the UK or just an isolated episode.

Signs of Babesiosis include fever, rapid breathing, tremors, jaundice, aneamia and weight loss. If you are concerned about these symtoms please contact us.

In 2015/16 our surgery has helped a leading pharmaceutical company and Bristol University in The Big Tick Project. This project has been designed to find out more about the UK tick population and the risks it poses to canine and human health.

Ticks tend to live in wet vegetation and scrub and will attach to passing animals to feed. Their saliva contains local aneasthetic so the host cannot detect their bite. Once onboard they will digest a blood meal. Ticks are unpleasant in their own right but they can potenitally be a threat to both your pet and family. They can carry diseases such as Lymes disease and Babesiosis.

If you find a tick on your dog then it it best to remove with a special tick removal hook. Do not burn, cut or pull a tick off as you may leave head parts behind. It can be tricky so if you are worried speak to one of the vets or nurses.

The best way to stop ticks is by using a tick prevention medication. We use a tablet that protects against ticks for up to 12weeks. This is the same medication that we use for flea prevention. Please ask a member of staff for more info.