{"id":829,"date":"2019-03-20T17:07:14","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T21:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=829"},"modified":"2019-03-20T17:07:14","modified_gmt":"2019-03-20T21:07:14","slug":"ticking-time-bomb-a-36-48-hour-window-justifies-parasite-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/ticking-time-bomb-a-36-48-hour-window-justifies-parasite-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Ticking Time Bomb: A 36-48 Hour Window Justifies Parasite Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are few moments worse than finding a tick on yourself or someone you love. Of course, we quickly jump to frightening conclusions of tick-borne illness, and for good reason. Incidents of Lyme disease are rising, and can have disastrous implications for pets and people alike. \u00a0
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All this is to say, your pet\u2019s parasite prevention must remain a high priority as we approach spring and summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Regional Frights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ticks that carry and spread Lyme disease<\/a> heavily populate the northeast and the Great Lakes regions, but tick-borne Lyme and other bacterial diseases have been found in all 50 states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricky Ticks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ticks lie in wait for their prey to draw near. They don\u2019t have wings or springy legs like fleas. Instead, they detect breathing, body odor, temperature, and vibration of their prey. Creepily, they extend their front legs while steadying themselves with third and fourth legs (on leaves, branches, fallen sticks, shrubbery, grass, etc.) and reach out to climb onto their host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood Meal, Right on Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may take some time for a tick to start feeding. On humans, ticks have to find their way around socks or sleeves. On pets, especially ones with thicker hair, ticks may take a little longer to find a spot on the skin.
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If they latch on with razor sharp mouth parts, they\u2019ll start sucking on blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stuff of Nightmares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As if that weren\u2019t terrifying enough, the bacteria we mentioned earlier, Borrelia Burgdorferi, <\/em>comes up from the tick\u2019s gut to the salivary glands and directly into the bloodstream of their prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Good News?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there is a silver lining to this scenario it\u2019s that ticks have to be attached to their prey for 36-48 hours for the bacteria to transfer. If you go for a hike with your dog, be sure to closely inspect the fur and skin for any ticks as soon as possible after returning home. Waiting to do this after a day or so increases the risk of possible transmission.
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The Safe Side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a tick is found, you must properly remove the tick<\/a> and seal it in a lidded jar of rubbing alcohol in case we need to test it later.
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Although the type of tick you remove from your pet may not carry Lyme disease, it\u2019s possible they could still transit:
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