These black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, are found on a wide range of hosts including mammals, birds and reptiles. Black-legged ticks, I. scapularis are known to transmit Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, to humans and animals during feeding, when they insert their mouth parts into the skin of a host, and slowly take in the nutrient-rich host blood. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As an environmentalist who holds a belief in the sanctity of all living things, I am conflicted when it comes to ticks. Lets face it, there is not much to love about a hematophagic (blood eating) arthropod capable of spreading life threatening diseases such as; ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, tick paralysis, babesiosis and Lyme disease. Armies of these vampirous creatures are patiently waiting to feed on you and your pets in many areas of Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz is currently in high season (April through October) for ticks. However, they are happy to have a meal any time of the year if the temperature is above 45 degrees. Ticks feed primarily on wildlife but will dine on pets or hitch a ride on them into our homes where they can find their way onto our human family members. It is worthwhile to become familiar with the four kinds of ticks found in California. A useful identification chart and a wealth of facts about ticks can be found at: tickencounter.org.
Almost all ticks are known to carry some type of disease. However, The Western Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes Pacificus) is especially important to recognize since it is the only one responsible for transmission of Lyme disease, as well as a half a dozen other diseases, to dogs and humans.
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that is transmitted into a victim’s bloodstream via the saliva of a blacklegged tick during feeding. Although still rare, this devastating disease is on the rise in pets and people. With more than 15% of all Blacklegged ticks in Santa Cruz infected with Lyme disease, it has the highest incidence of disease-infected ticks than any other county in California.
Interestingly, the majority of the ticks carrying Lyme disease here are in the nymph stage of their life cycle when they are only about the size of a poppy seed. This may be due to the adult ticks tendency to feed on the western fence lizard, aka “blue bellied lizard,” whose blood contains antibodies against the Lyme disease causing bacteria. Hats off to this brave reptile for helping to protecting us and our pets from Lyme disease! What else can be done to protect our pets?
There are a variety of tick preventative treatments for pets available over the counter and through your veterinarian. Frontline topical monthly treatment for dogs and cats also protects against fleas and does a fair job of preventing ticks when used regularly. Repel (nontoxic) spray, available from veterinarians, can deter fleas, mosquitoes and ticks. Certifect, Scalibor and Preventic tick collars are more effective for dogs but should never be used for cats.
Although DEET sprays can be effective in preventing ticks from attaching to human clothes, it must not be applied to the skin or to the fur of pets. In general the more effective the preventative medication is; the more potentially toxic it can be. I recommend the more aggressive tick control products only for dogs with regular heavy tick exposure or those whose hair type makes it especially difficult to spot them on the dog’s skin.
My recommendation for most pets is to inspect them carefully every day and to manually remove any ticks found. Check meticulously (remember the poppy sized nymphs?) in hard to spot areas such as the groin, armpits, under the tail, plus around and in the ear. A tick must be attached for at least 24 hours before Lyme disease can be transmitted. Therefore, daily removal is an effective method of preventing Lyme disease.
Having seen and tried every possible method of tick removal, I was amazed the first time I used the ingenious “Tick Twister.” I highly recommend this tool which can be purchased online or through your veterinarian. In a pinch, Tweezers will do the job: apply firmly to the ticks head as close to the skin as possible and then pull gradually and steadily straight back from the skin (don’t jerk or twist).
If you or your pet is bitten by a tick and you are interested in having it identified: place it into a plastic bag with a damp paper towel and take it to the Santa Cruz Health Center Laboratory. Identification is free and if you’d like to have the tick tested for Lyme disease, this service is available through the Laboratory for a $15 fee.
By educating yourself and your family about ticks, you can enjoy nature with more security and you may just save a life!
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Capitola Veterinary Hospital, 1220 H 41st Ave. Capitola, CA, 831-476-7387 • capitolaveterinaryhospital.com
