Serious Lyme Disease Keep ticks removed from pets

Do not dispose of removed ticks in pets immediately
If a pet has been stung by a tick, it should be removed after removal. The association "Aktion Tier" refers to this in a recent communication. For, after the bite, the animal shows symptoms of disease, e.g. suggesting a Lyme disease, an examination of the tick for relevant pathogens can provide important clues. The results allow the veterinarian a targeted treatment.

The plagues are lurking in bushes and along the way
In spring, the danger to pets is especially high for being stung by a tick. Because dogs and cats are usually in the great outdoors on the go and meet there on the small crawlies, which are looking for food after the long winter. The ticks live on meadows, along the way, in the undergrowth or in bushes and claw in the fur of a dog or cat as soon as they brush along them. Then they look for a suitable place, pierce the skin of their victim and suck themselves with blood.

A tick bite can also have bad consequences for pets like a Lyme disease. Therefore, the tick should be removed quickly and unconditionally lifted. (Image: DoraZett / fotolia.com)

Infections can be fatal
If the parasites carry a disease, tick bites can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Because of a sting, life-threatening infectious diseases such as borreliosis, anaplasmosis or babesiosis can be transmitted in this case, especially for dogs. The longer the tick has time to suck blood, the greater the risk of infection. Accordingly, fast action is required: "If one discovers a tick with himself or his pet, it should be removed as soon as possible," advises the vet Dr. med. Tina Hölscher from the association "Aktion Tier".

How to draw a tick properly
Tick ​​tweezers or tweezers are best used to remove the bitten tick. Place the tool parallel to the skin, gripping the head of the animal and pulling it out of the skin of your four-legged friend quickly and straight. It is important that the tick is not squeezed or injured in order to avoid increased excitation and inflammation. If your pet is restless, ask another person to hold the dog or cat before pulling.

Targeted treatment by examination of the parasites
"In addition, I strongly advise to keep the removed tick!" The expert continues. If, after the tick bite, the typical symptoms of a tick-borne illness occur in the pet, the veterinarian can have the tick specifically examined for relevant pathogens. An example is the so-called Wanderröte, which is a clear sign of Lyme disease.

"If you have the tick and can examine it, it's worth the price of gold," emphasizes the veterinarian. Because this can help the pet in the event of infection faster and more targeted: "There are no treatments to be carried out in the blue, and you know exactly what to do with it or not." (No)