Danger: Not only your pet can be infected by a tick bite with disease carriers. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) warns that ticks can also transmit a large number of infectious diseases to humans. This applies in particular to TBE or Lyme disease. Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in particular, as well as southern Saxony and Brandenburg, are considered risk areas. Tight-fitting clothing and closed shoes can protect against tick infestation.
Remove ticks correctly – that’s how it works
If a tick has already attached itself, you should remove it immediately and not wait until it falls off saturated. With a little sure instinct and tick tweezers or a small so-called crowbar, you can carefully pull out the tick. «You have to get as close as possible to the skin of the dog or cat with the tick tweezers or the crowbar so that the tick sits well in the tweezers. Then slowly and evenly pull out the parasite. Just don’t squeeze, then the tick may secrete even more pathogens,» warns Karina Omelyanovskaya.
The bite site should be cleaned with disinfectant after removal. Even after that, you have to be vigilant. recommends: “If the skin remains red after the bite or if an infection develops at the site, the animal must be taken to the veterinarian. In particular, if the affected dog or cat shows symptoms such as fever, fatigue or swollen lymph nodes, it should be checked.”
Properly protect and prevent bites
Tick bites represent a health risk for every animal, because the arachnids are carriers of dangerous pathogens. The best protection is prevention: In order to protect your pet in the best possible way, it should ideally not be bitten in the first place. Pet owners: there are various anti-tick products on the market to choose from, from spot-ons to parasite collars, tablets and oil. Coconut oil, which can be rubbed into the fur, offers natural protection. The lauric acid contained in the oil deters ticks. However, the duration of the effect is only limited, so that the coconut protection should be renewed every six hours. «At the beginning of spring it is worth getting a consultation in a veterinary practice, because there are various preparations that have a deterrent or even killing effect on ticks. But not every product is suitable for every animal, ”advises pet campaign manager Karina Omelyanovskaya.
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