TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Pets and their owners are seeing more ticks than usual this season.
For pet owners, ticks are not something new. This year has seen a rise in cases locally, and owners are being affected when simply walking their dog.
Tick season runs from early spring to late fall and can continue all the way through November in Florida.
Ticks feed on the blood of mammals, birds, amphibians and more. Most people associate them with pets such as cats and dogs, but humans can also be affected by ticks.
Tick season is from early spring to late fall, but for Florida, that can be up until November. There are multiple blood-related diseases caused by ticks, one of them being Lyme disease.
Dr. Mary Beth Williams, a doctor of veterinary medicine at North Florida Animal Hospital, said that she’s also seen ehrlichiosis cases this summer.
“It’s not as severe as Lyme disease,” Williams said. “The symptoms aren’t as severe, but it does cause lethargy and high fever, inappetence and just a general decrease in energy.”
According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been 163 cases of Lyme disease across the state so far, with the closest case being in Wakulla County.
That’s just short of the 169 total cases confirmed last year alone.
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Sometimes dogs may be asymptomatic to ticks, easily passing them to their owner. Williams shared the proper removal procedure after spotting a tick on pets and humans.
“Getting like a tweezer or something or even your fingers if they’re small enough,” Williams said. “But making sure you grab the base of that tick attached, even on your dog as well if you’re removing a tick off your dog, making sure you grab that tick at the base and gently try to pull it instead of snatching it.”
Those who work and play outside in wooded areas need to be more on alert for ticks.
Local disc golfer Jason Perdue said that disc golfers take extra precautions throughout the season.
“We go home and shower, we get everything off, we make sure we don’t have anything hiding in there,” Perdue said. “So we’re all good about making sure we get them off as quickly as we find them because we know there’s risk associated with it.”
There is medication available for pets in both pill and topical form, some with protection lasting for 12 months.
During this season, it is recommended to stay away from tall grassy areas, wear pants instead of shorts and to be aware of surroundings.
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