Should I Be Worried About Ticks Getting On My Texas Pets?

The threat of tick-borne diseases is an interesting topic because different people respond differently to the threat these pests pose. The responses range from one apathy and indifference to one of dread. And while we certainly don't want to promote fear, it is important to have a healthy level of caution when it comes to dealing with ticks. Though the risk of you or your pets contracting a tick-borne disease is relatively low, these parasitic pests have the ability to transfer a variety of different diseases, some of which can lead to lifelong health complications. And that’s definitely not a risk you want to take!

Which diseases affect dogs and cats?

The tick-related diseases that most commonly affect dogs are Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine babesiosis, canine anaplasmosis, canine bartonellosis, and canine hepatozoonosis.

While tick-borne diseases are not as common in cats, they can still cause severe sickness and even be fatal. The tick-related illnesses linked to cats are Lyme disease, haemobartonellosis, cytauxzoonosis, tularemia, which can cause tick paralysis, and babesiosis, which can lead to anemia.

When ticks choose our pets as their hosts, they can transfer diseases to them that can make them become very ill. These illnesses can lead to chronic symptoms, kidney disease, heart conditions, and nervous systems disorders. Acute symptoms of tick-borne disease can include fatigue, stiffness, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, nose bleeds, flu-like symptoms, depression, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nasal discharge, pale gums, jaundice, darker-than-normal urine, difficulty breathing, and seizures, among others.

While this is enough to make you worry about ticks getting on your pet, there is also the threat that those ticks can use your pets to get into your home and then attach to you and your family members. And many of the diseases and symptoms listed above can affect humans as well as pets. That is why it is vital to take precautions when it comes to ticks.

How can I prevent my pets from getting tick-borne diseases?

• The frontline defense in the war against ticks is veterinarian-prescribed tick products like tick collars and other preventative treatments. These products help make your pets more resistant to tick habitation and make it harder for those ticks to get into your home. However, these products are not 100% effective at preventing a tick infestation in your home, especially if you have pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Some tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease, require the tick to be attached for hours in order to transmit enough bacteria to transmit illness. Early detection and proper tick removal is key to preventing the transmission of these illnesses. In the case of Lyme disease, it is also important to recognize that a bullseye rash is often associated with this disease, though that is not always the case. It is also important to note that the acute stage of Lyme disease is treatable but once it passes into the chronic stage, it is no longer curable.
• Ticks are brought into our yards by wildlife animals, birds included. To reduce the threat of ticks, take measures to resist these wildlife animals. Keep your grass trimmed, install fencing around your yard, store trash in sealed containers, keep bird feeders away from your home, etc. Everything you do to keep wildlife out of your yard, and especially out of your recreational areas, will have an impact on the tick populations around your home.
• When ticks get into your home, contact a professional to apply systematic pest control measures to completely eliminate them. This is one pest problem you definitely don't want to trust the DIY pest control suggestions on the internet.
• Before ticks have a chance to get into your home, a pest control professional can help to significantly reduce tick populations around your home by applying targeted treatments. This prevents your pets from picking ticks up in your landscaping and the other shaded areas around your property and carrying them inside. It also works to prevent rodents and other wildlife animals from bringing them into your home when they invade. Rodent problems are commonly associated with flea and tick infestations. So, before a rodent infestation rears its ugly head in your home, take preventative measures against both ticks and rodents by partnering with a professional pest control provider!

For assistance with tick reduction, rodent control, and general residential pest control in North Texas, reach out to us at Adams Exterminating Company and request your free home estimate! In our area, ticks can cause a variety of different problems. They can bite, spread illnesses, damage our property, and even eat away at the structure of our homes. But you can trust us at Adams Exterminating to control the insects, rodents, and wildlife pests on your property. Get your defensive barrier in place today!