In the last few weeks there have been confirmed cases of canine babesiosis in dogs living in Essex, which have never travelled to Europe. Thankfully in the North East there have been no confirmed cases, however we would urge all dog owners to ensure their dog is up to date with all parasite control, especially tick prevention.

What are the symptoms of canine babesiosis?

Symptoms of babesiosis can range from mild to severe and can include lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, anaemia and pale gums. If your dog has any symptoms and has ticks we would advise you to contact us to make an appointment.

Detecting ticks

You should check your pet’s skin on its head first; around the mouth ears, behind the ears and neck, and then work your way down its forelegs and the rest of its body searching for any lumps on the skin surface.

Removing ticks

When attempting to remove ticks it is essential you remove the whole tick, ticks should be removed using a proper tick remover such as the ‘O’Tom Tick Twister’.  If you are unsure of how to do this, please call the surgery to organise an appointment with one of our Veterinary Nurses.

How to protect your dog from Ticks and tick-borne disease

To reduce the risk associated with ticks on dogs, we have innovative and convenient treatments that are only available on prescription. The options include oral tablets, spot-on treatment, sprays and collars; these modern techniques are much more effective than traditional over-the-counter tick treatment.

For best advice on how to protect your dog from ticks, please call us today on 01434 607677 for Hexham or 01661 843259 for Stocksfield.