Ticks are one of the most common blood-feeding parasites in the world. Did you know that tick populations, as well as tick-borne diseases, are increasing at alarming rates? According to the Centers for Disease Control diseases spread by ticks have more than tripled since 2004. In fact, Lyme disease can now be found on every continent except Antarctica! Ticks are thriving in areas previously too cold for them to live, weather patterns are creating longer summer seasons, and, deer populations (a primary blood host for ticks) are growing rapidly.
Although tick-borne diseases can be life threatening, the feeding process, itself, may also prove to be dangerous to our beloved pets…including severe toxemias, blood loss due to large consumption of the host’s blood, and, possible death. In most cases, you have approximately twenty-four to thirty-six hours to remove a tick from your pet before disease transmission takes place. It is for these reasons that tick removal from dogs, cats, or other pets must take place immediately – completely and safely – without putting pet owners at risk.
There is only one tool on the market that will help you do just that! The patented, self-energizing TickZapper® is the only tick removal tool on the market, today, that fully captures and contains the tick, while also removing it entirely (including mouthparts!) – without the risk of human contact. Read below to learn more about how to keep your fury friend safe with chemical-free tick removal! See TickZapper® in Action!
Proper tick checks are necessary in order to stave off the many dangers of ticks and tick-borne diseases. A thorough tick check should be conducted on your pet’s body immediately after his or her outdoor activities have concluded for the day…regardless of the season! By the time a tick has engorged itself on a host animal, it can look suspiciously like a wart or skin tag. Six common areas to check for ticks include the inside of ears, between toes, under the tail, in the genital regions, around eyelids, and under the collar. Using your fingertips, slowly and carefully feel for small bumps on your animal’s skin surface, beneath the fur. If you've found a white, gray, or light-brownish mass on the animal’s skin, check at the base of the mass. If the mass is indeed a tick, you'll find the mouthparts burrowed in the animal’s skin, as well as four pairs of walking legs, nearby. Learn more Here.
Ticks have three body regions: the capitulum (basis capituli – which attaches the capitulum to the body, the mouthparts, and the palps), body region, and legs. The capitulum is often mistaken for a head. In reality, there is no head, nor brain! Ticks rely on their Haller’s organ to source blood hosts. This organ operates much like an antennae. Located in the two front legs, it is an important sensory organ that enables ticks to detect factors emitted by potential blood hosts, such as odors, heat, vibration, as well as other external factors. In addition, ticks have two mouthparts (chelicerae – for cutting into the skin, and the hypostome – which bears teeth). These parts enable the tick to pierce the host’s skin, followed by the release of a cement-like substance, then the blood-feeding commences. See photo, below.
Female Tick Preparing to Feed: Half of her mouthparts have pieced the silicone membrane
TickZapper® provides an effective way for pet owners to remove the entire tick (including mouthparts) – while also eliminating the risk of touching the tick. This quick and easy tick removal method can save time while also reducing stress for both pet and pet owner. No more tugging on your pet’s sensitive skin!
Designed as a one-handed tick removal tool, leaving your remaining hand free to steady your pet, TickZapper® removes the entire tick – including mouthparts – quickly and easily. Self-energizing (No Batteries & Always Ready!) TickZapper® gently stuns the tick, prompting it to fully release into the secure encapsulation tip – including mouthparts! Simply press the clear lever, place over tick, and release. Press the green button twice, turn unit clockwise, and pull directly outward. You’ve Done It! This is the best way to remove a tick without human contact. You can send the tick away for analysis, dispose of the tick, or simply relocate it…the choice is yours! See the TickZapper® advantage, below!
Want to learn more about how to remove ticks from your dog, cat, or other animals, safely easily, and chemical-free! Visit us at TickZapper®. Remember, ticks and tick-borne diseases are on the rise. Be Prepared to remove ticks immediately, quickly, and thoroughly… on the spot! Buy your new TickZapper® today!
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Fleas are the bane of many a dog and many a dog owner. Dogs can easily pick up fleas outside and a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation, causing both you and your dog serious discomfort and even illness. Signs your dog has fleas include black specs in his fur (that would be flea dirt), white specs in his fur (those would be flea eggs—ack!), and scratching and nipping, particularly at the base of the tail. Get a fine-toothed flea comb and comb your dog, concentrating at the neck and tail base, looking through the debris the comb collects. The comb may also capture fleas themselves—they’re fast moving and tiny, like the head of a pin. Drown any fleas you collect in soapy water. Also take a look at your dog’s tummy— less fur makes it easier to see fleas.
Lest you think fleas are just irritating, think again—fleas are the most common cause of skin disease in dogs and cats. The scratching the fleas cause can lead to skin infections. Serious flea infestations, particularly in puppies, can cause anemia and pose a serious health risk. For dogs with a flea allergy, flea infestations are particularly uncomfortable. Signs your dog has a flea allergy include intense itching, hair loss, and hot spots or red, inflamed or scabby skin.
Though not their first choice, fleas like human blood too and they can jump from your dog’s fur or bedding onto your skin and your furniture. Like dogs, some people are allergic to fleabites. If your bites are intensely itchy, this is likely you.
For an idea of how quickly the problem can grow, consider this: Female fleas can lay 40 to 50 eggs a day, which can lead to an infestation in days. For every flea you see on your dog, vets estimate there are 100 more in your house. Furthermore, eggs can fall off your dog and hatch anywhere—carpets, pet beds, and couches you share with your pets are flea favourites. The fleas then feed on you and your pet and the cycle continues.
The first step in dealing with a flea infestation is to de-flea your dog, whether through a spot-on treatment, a shampoo (most have to be kept on for 10 minutes before rinsing—be sure to read the instructions) or an all-natural approach like Dr. Dobias Flea Hex.
The next step is to deal with your house and your yard. Wash all pet bedding in hot water. Wash any washable couch cushions and vacuum what you can’t wash. Vacuum all carpets with a rotary or beater bar and immediately empty canister/seal bag and take outside to the garbage. Mop all floors. Repeat weekly.
Now for the yard: mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and rake the leaves to make it as unwelcoming as possible for fleas and ticks. They thrive in the untended areas. (Note that the brown dog tick can also live and reproduce inside your home. Check its favourite hiding spots—cracks, curtains, under rugs, beneath furniture, and behind radiators.)
Use a flea comb to check your dog weekly so you can take care of any fleas before it becomes a bigger problem. Ticks carry serious disease and need to be removed right away. For five steps to safely remove a tick, go to moderndogmagazine.com/remove-tick.
SIGNS OF TICK-BORNE DISEASES
Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis all cause similar symptoms in dogs, including:
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Joint swelling or pain
Ticks can also cause paralysis. Some ticks produce a toxin that will make the host’s muscles weak. Most dogs recover quickly once the tick is removed.
For more great flea and tick solutions, check out these Modern Dog approved products!
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