Across the UK and Europe, some tick species are becoming active for longer periods of the year, their geographical distribution is evolving, and pets that travel abroad can encounter tick species and diseases that are less familiar in the UK. This means that effective parasite protection is no longer simply a seasonal consideration for every pet.

At The Pet Vet, we believe the best protection starts with understanding your pet’s individual lifestyle and risks, and choosing a veterinary-prescribed treatment that provides the right level of coverage.

Ticks aren’t all the same

When we talk about “ticks”, we’re actually talking about a range of different species, and they don’t all live in the same places or carry the same potential risks.

Three important types discussed in recent veterinary research are:

Ixodes ticks

Ixodes ticks are among the most common ticks found in the UK. They are often associated with woodland, long grass, bracken, farmland and areas where deer are present.

Tick activity was once thought of mainly as a spring and autumn problem, but evidence suggests that exposure can occur for much longer periods – and at any time of year.

Some Ixodes ticks can carry pathogens associated with diseases such as Lyme disease, while tick-borne encephalitis virus has also emerged in certain areas of the UK.

Dermacentor reticulatus – the ornate dog tick

This tick species is particularly important because it can transmit Babesia canis, a parasite that can cause potentially serious disease in dogs.

Known populations have been identified in several areas of England and Wales, and the distribution of these ticks continues to be monitored. Cases of babesiosis have also occurred in UK dogs that had not travelled abroad.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus – the brown dog tick

This tick is not currently considered established in the UK, but it is found in parts of southern and eastern Europe and is of particular concern for travelling pets.

Unlike many ticks that spend much of their life outdoors, brown dog ticks can potentially establish themselves indoors. They may also carry pathogens that can affect both animals and people.

Why your pet’s lifestyle matters

Not every pet has the same risk of encountering ticks.

A dog that enjoys daily walks through woodland or long grass may have very different parasite risks from a dog that rarely leaves urban pavements. Similarly, an adventurous outdoor cat may be more likely to encounter ticks than a cat that spends most of its time indoors.

Your pet’s risk can depend on:

• Where you live and where you regularly walk
• Whether your pet spends time in woodland, long grass or rural areas
• Whether deer, livestock or wildlife are common nearby
• Whether your cat hunts or explores undergrowth, burrows or nests
• Whether your pet has had ticks before
• Whether you travel abroad with your pet or have imported a pet from overseas

This is one of the most important reasons to speak to our team about parasite protection. A “one-size-fits-all” approach may not provide the right protection for every pet.

Why Vet-prescribed protection is different

With so many flea and tick products available online and over the counter, it can be tempting to choose a treatment based on convenience, price or a claim on the packaging.

However, not all parasite products protect against the same parasites – or the same species of tick.

A veterinary-prescribed treatment is selected with your individual pet in mind. Your Vet can take into account factors including your pet’s:

• Species
• Age
• Weight
• Lifestyle
• Previous parasite exposure
• Travel history
• Other health considerations
• Current medications
• The parasites they are most likely to encounter

This means we can recommend a product with coverage that is appropriate for your pet.

It’s also important to buy veterinary medicines from a trusted and legitimate source. Products purchased from unverified online sellers may not always be appropriate for your pet, and the advice that comes with a veterinary consultation is just as important as the medicine itself.

Broad protection, tailored to your pet

Our team can recommend a parasite prevention plan based on your pet’s individual needs.

Simparica Trio is a broad-spectrum veterinary medicine that provides protection against multiple parasites. Its licensed tick activity includes Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, as well as Ixodes hexagonus.

Stronghold Plus also offers broad parasite coverage and is licensed against Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, as well as Ixodes hexagonus.

Both treatments therefore provide coverage against all the tick species discussed above, alongside protection against other parasites. The exact treatment recommended will depend on your pet and their individual circumstances.

Your veterinary team can also help make sure that the product, dose and treatment schedule are right for your pet, and answer any questions you may have about administering it correctly.

Tick prevention doesn’t mean you can stop checking your pet

Even with effective parasite prevention in place, it’s still a good idea to check your pet for ticks, particularly after walks or time outdoors in areas where ticks may be present.

Pay particular attention to areas such as:

• Around the head and ears
• The face and neck
• Under the collar
• Around the legs and between the toes
• The chest and tummy

Ticks can be surprisingly small, especially in their earlier life stages, so they can be easy to miss.

If you find a tick, remove it promptly and carefully

Using a purpose-designed tick removal tool is important. These tools are designed to help you remove the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible, without squeezing or crushing its body.

The aim is to remove the entire tick, including its mouthparts, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the tick’s “head”. If a tick is pulled away too quickly, squeezed or removed incorrectly, its mouthparts can break off and remain embedded in your pet’s skin.

Retained mouthparts may cause local irritation, redness or swelling and, in some cases, can increase the risk of an infection developing at the bite site. After removing a tick, check both the tick and the area where it was attached to make sure the removal appears to have been complete.

If you think part of the tick has been left behind, don’t keep digging or picking at your pet’s skin, as this can cause further irritation or damage. Contact our team for advice, particularly if the area becomes red, swollen, hot, painful or starts to produce discharge.

If you’re unsure and/or unconfident on how to remove a tick safely, our team will be happy to assist.

Protection is about more than preventing an unpleasant bite

Effective parasite control can help reduce the risks associated with tick exposure and feeding. But because ticks and the diseases they can carry are changing, prevention needs to evolve too.

Regular veterinary advice is particularly valuable if your pet’s lifestyle changes – for example, if you move home, start visiting new walking areas or take your pet abroad.

Speak to our team about your pet’s parasite protection

Ticks are a growing concern for pets across the UK and Europe, but you don’t have to work out your pet’s protection plan alone.

Our team can assess your pet’s individual risks and recommend appropriate, veterinary-prescribed parasite protection. By choosing a treatment with the right coverage for your pet’s lifestyle, you can help protect them against the parasites they’re most likely to encounter – at home and when travelling.

Please book an appointment to discuss the right parasite protection plan for your dog or cat.