Tick Awareness Month

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association declares March to be National Tick Awareness Month, a time for pet owners in Canada to learn about tick prevention.

March is the start of tick season, as temperatures rise above freezing. Although not all ticks carry the Lyme Disease bacterium, some ticks carry other tick-borne diseases that can affect animal health after a tick bite. 

Some ticks are more aggressive towards dogs than others including the Eastern Black-legged Tick (Deer Tick) and the American Dog Tick (Wood Tick).

The deer tick seeks humans and pets year-round and can be found in grassy and woody areas as well as inside and outside the home. In contrast, the American Dog (Wood Tick) Tick is active during April-August and only lives in woody areas. Keeping an eye on both tick species will prevent your dog from possibly contracting Lyme Disease from deer ticks and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from the wood tick.

Because ticks are now active across North America, it is advised to homeowners that they build dog fencing to keep out deer and other wildlife that may be carrying tick illnesses. For pet owners who like to explore the Great Outdoors with their dogs, it's important to know how to remove a tick and the signs of Lyme Disease. 

Protect dogs from ticks this March during #TickAwarenessMonth; and follow the conversation on @EasyPetFence.com Facebook.