Earliest tick season in years, Regina vet says

Many of us in Saskatchewan may be enjoying the warm winter and early start to spring.

Unfortunately, ticks like it, too.

In Saskatchewan, the blood-sucking critters usually emerge in May and June, but in many areas, the pesky parasites have already shown up on dogs and cattle.

"In the last 20 years, this is probably the earliest I've seen ticks,"Regina veterinarian LesleySawasaid.

The warmer weather isbringing migratory birds heading north into Saskatchewan earlierand those birds can also carry ticks with them,Sawasaid

Animals that venture into densely wooded areas and tall grass can very easily pick up a tick or twoor more.

Sawasays if you take your pet into those areas, a thorough tick check should be in order.

"Look in their ears, check all over their skin, underneath their armpits.If a tick is stuck in, just pinch it and pull it off."

Before goinginto tick-infestedareas,Sawarecommends, somepreventative measures arein order, Sawa says.

She recommends chewable oral medications for dogs.

There are also topical medications which are applied between a dog's shoulder blades.

When you're out in the tall grass make sure your pants legs are tucked into your socks- Dr. LesleySawa

Deer ticks can transmitLymedisease to dogs and humans.

However, the deer tick is not common in Saskatchewan and cases ofLymedisease in this province are rare, she said.

Sawasays the brown tick is most common in Saskatchewan.

It can spread theanaplasmabacteria, which can lead to diarrhea and an increase in heart rate.

Those cases are alsorare in the province but not zero, she said.

For humans, covering up is the best prevention.

"When you're out in the tall grass, make sure your pantlegs are tucked into your socks," she said.

"When you come back,remove your clothes in the garage or somewhere whereyou're avoiding the inside of your home. And then shake out those clothes and try to remove any ticks that might be stuck on your garments."

The bottom line, says Sawa, is that people should enjoythe warmer season and thegreat outdoors.

Just remember ticks love the early start, too.