Experts found a life-threatening infection in Australia, which created significant concern for millions of dog owners worldwide.
This illness, canine ehrlichiosis, is spread by the bite of the "brown dog tick" bacterium-carrying parasite. In Australia's warm and humid areas, this disease is common, and its bite can be potentially lethal for pets.
Australia was known as free of the disease when the first cases were recently discovered last May. However, more than 300 dogs have already tested positive for it in Western Australia and the Northern Territories. There have also been accounts of dogs failing without being examined or treated by veterinarian staff in the field.
According to The Conversation, Australia's chief veterinary officer Mark Schipp said contaminated ticks bearing the lethal bacteria had been found in South Australia, too. If you own a puppy, you must protect it since the disease can be contained any time soon.
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How to Stop The Ticks from Spreading
Just like our health officials were with COVID-19, the reaction to this epidemic of canine ehrlichiosis from the state and federal veterinary authorities was rapid.
The infection is not contagious; dogs infected by ticks can only acquire it. So animal owners must be proactive in preventing ticks. According to Advantage Petcare, here's how.
Know Where To Hide Ticks Like
The presence of ticks is based on the tick genus. At any point of their lifecycle (larvae, nymphs, and adults), brown dog ticks prey on the same dog. They are, therefore, sometimes located in the kennel, bedding, or garden of the dog. Within your den, they may still thrive. Native species, including possums, bandicoots, and kangaroos, are the usual carriers of ticks for paralysis. For these ticks, long grasses, bushlands and rainforests have the ideal setting. It is not immune to community parks, suburban gardens, dog parks, and kennels.
Treat the Ticks in Your Backyard
Check for areas that could be harboring ticks in your backyard. Tick hotspots may be overgrown bushes and tall grass stretches, so clean them up by mowing, weeding, or trimming. Outdoor garden remedies for ticks will also aid if you find a severe infestation - make sure you obey the label for application and how long to hold your dog and family safe after application.
Choose a Vaccine for Your Dog With a Tick
Prevention is the most critical move in the battle against ticks. All year long, apply an efficient tick prevention tool. Using a medication that repels ticks and eliminates ticks without the need for a blood meal, such as the Seresto collar or Advantix, helps avoid tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
It is crucial to negotiate with your vet whatever tick therapy you want, whether it has to be used in your region all year round, to keep your dog safe in the long run.
Check the Dog for Ticks Frequently
Every dog can regularly check for ticks, checking on the neck (particularly under collars), head, paws, feet, and between the toes, especially one with a propensity to wander through tall grass or thick bush. Check out our full tutorial for your pet to recognize and spot ticks.
Bear in mind that tick bites are difficult to spot after the tick has come off your dog during eating. These wounds also don't sting. But whether you see a tick or your dog begins to exhibit tick poisoning symptoms from paralysis, you certainly won't realize if your dog has been bitten. Testing regularly for ticks, especially in areas with paralysis ticks, can improve your odds of catching a tick while it is still on your dog.
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