During Tick Awareness Month we are highlighting to pet owners in and around the South West the risk of tick-borne disease and the need for tick control measures.

We aim to help pet owners be more aware of the risk from ticks and the need to use control measures to protect your pets from the challenge that an increasing distribution and prevalence of ticks could bring to human and animal health.

During Tick Awareness Month we will highlight the longer season of tick activity and the increased risk to pets as well as giving you vital information about the lifecycle of ticks, the tick species found and how to protect your pets - all of these posts will be available on our Facebook page.

Pet owners in and around Crediton can also join the campaign to raise awareness of the risks ticks pose to your pets by taking part in a major new pet owner survey during Tick Awareness Month.

This campaign follows results of Big Tick Project 2016 - During the Big Tick Project veterinary practices across the UK randomly selected dogs brought into practice for an additional free tick check. More than 6000 ticks discovered during the check, were collected and sent to the University of Bristol team for analysis. The results of the study are increasing our understanding of the extent of the risk of ticks in the UK and its potential impact on pet and human health. In March 2016, scientists confirmed cases of Babesia canis in dogs in Essex and this brought calls for greater surveillance of tick-borne disease in the UK.

This map highlights the risk of ticks in our area, as you can see, Crediton's threat level is classified as High Risk.

Marie added “We are supporting Tick Awareness Month to highlight that ticks and tick-borne disease present a risk to our pets in both urban and rural areas. Ticks are active throughout the year and the results from the Big Tick Project suggest that while there may be areas of higher risk across the country, the threat from tick-borne disease is widespread.

“This means that for all dog owners, there is a need for year-round vigilance and to assess the risk of ticks to both ourselves and our pets.

“We want to encourage pet owners to get involved by following our Facebook page, or contacting us at the practice to learn more about ticks and their control.”

To reduce the risk associated with ticks in dogs, St Boniface Vets has innovative and convenient treatments that are only available on prescription.  The options available to protect dogs against ticks include spot-ons (typically applied every four weeks), sprays, collars and oral chewable formulations which can give up to 12 weeks protection.

For best advice on tick treatment and/or how to remove a tick correctly from your pet please speak to us on 01363 772860.