Dont get ticked off this summer

NEW?GLASGOW?- Kathryn Finlayson sees them every day. From dogs, from cats - even from people.
Pets with ticks are a common sight at veterinary clinics like the East River Animal Hospital, and these pesky little devils can be the cause of some serious problems, including Lyme Disease.
"We see cases of ticks every day here," said Finlayson, a veterinarian. "I had three cases (Thursday). Not every tick contains the bacteria responsible for Lyme Disease, but they do appear."
Finlayson said before last year, she used to simply dispose of ticks.
But after hearing of a local case of Lyme Disease, she now sends each and every case away for testing.
In the past year, she's found three cases of positive-testing ticks - a cat in Thorburn, a dog in River John and even a sample off a human from Temperance St.
Finlayson noted that not every tick carries the bacteria, and carriers might not be on the rise as much as more testing is being done to find the bacteria.
To transmit the disease, a positive tick would need to attach itself to a host, engorge itself and feed on a blood meal.
"We hear more and more about it, and we're always on the lookout," Finlayson said. "It's important to treat your pets for ticks any time, but especially with this potential for Lyme Disease."
There have been 12 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease in Nova Scotia since 2002 - including at least one in Pictou County. In this province, only Blacklegged (deer) ticks carry the disease, which can cause many unpleasant symptoms if the bites become infected. These include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches and even facial palsy or heart problems in more advanced cases.
They are usually smaller than dog ticks, lack white markings and are brown to reddish-orange in colour.
Finlayson said there are several things humans could do to avoid tick bites when outdoors. Wearing long pants and sleeves will limit the exposed skin ticks can feast on, and raking glass clippings quickly after mowing will reduce possible nesting.
When it comes to pets, a prescription drug called Advantix can do the trick for dogs, but is toxic for cats, and thus should never be administered to felines. There are other flea products and vaccines available for pet owners at their local vet, and Finlayson urges pet owners to consult a vet before doling out any type of medication.