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The Premier Lifestyle Magazine and website for Animal Lovers. Founded in 1999 In support of fairness to animals.

TICK MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth:	Ticks are not prevalent where I live
Fact:	Ticks can be found locally in every region of the country

Myth:	Pet owners are not aware of the health risks associated with ticks
Fact:	Most of the pet owners polled in a recent survey -86%- were aware that ticks can transmit disease to themselves, their pets and their family

Myth:	All flea-control products also kill ticks
Fact:	Many pet owners believe that their flea-control products protect their pets from ticks even though many of these products don't

TICK PREVENTION TIPS

Keep tall grass clipped, remove any mulch or leaf litter and trim bushes regularly
Examine your pet thoroughly every day for ticks. After your pet has been outdoors, put him/her on a white towel and carefully comb through coat. Although ticks prefer attaching themselves to your pet's head, neck and paws, you should try to cover as much of your pet's body as you can.
Use some type of tick prevention such as FRONTLINE - the only monthly topical product that protects dogs and cats from fleas and all 4 major types of ticks

TICK PROFILES

Sometimes too tiny to be seen, ticks attach to pets and people, and feed until they are engorged. Worse yet, they can carry diseases that can cause very serious health problems not just for pets, but humans as well. Below is a listing of ticks that have been identified as carriers of specific diseases:

Deer ticks/black-legged ticks can be found in most of the United States, with the exception of some western states. This tick is best known as a carrier of Lyme disease
The brown dog tick, a carrier of Canine Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis, is found in all states across the country
Lone star ticks, commonly found in southern and south-central states, can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, tick paralysis and tularemia
The American dog tick, located in most states outside of the southwest, has been identified as a carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia

TICK-BORNE DISEASE FACTS

Tick bites can affect your pet's health in the following ways:

LYME DISEASE - A bacterial infection that is usually carried by the deer tick. Symptoms include lameness, fever, and loss of appetite, fatigue and an abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes. Lyme disease is often treatable with antibiotics.

BABESIOSIS - In the dog, acute symptoms may include, fever, loss of appetite, and general deterioration. Puppies 4-12 weeks old are probably most susceptible. Shock, coma or death after less than a day of lethargy and loss of appetite can occur. Responds to a variety of treatments if caught early, although blood transfusions may be necessary in later stages of the disease.

EHRLICHIOSIS - An infectious blood disease that attacks your pet's white blood cells, crippling the immune system. Symptoms include fever, depression, weight loss, and loss of appetite. It is treatable with antibiotics.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER - Often transmitted by the American dog tick. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, coughing, lameness, depression, vomiting and diarrhea. If untreated, it can result in the more acute symptoms or even death.

If you believe that your pet is suffering from any of the above illnesses, consult your veterinarian.

**Statisticks courtesy of Merial Limited, Iselin, N.J. For more information, visit www.frontline.com.