Lorraine Lohr Cathro
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Tick(ed) Off - Dedicated to Hayley Dog

6/19/2015

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How dare you think
That you can burrow into my golden girl
With your tentacles.

You blood-sucking arachnid.

     Wood (dog) ticks have become increasingly common in Saskatchewan during the last decade or so. Black-legged (deer) ticks are also found but are not as prevalent which is fortunate since deer ticks can cause Lyme disease. Wakaw Lake is on a migratory route which is wonderful for seeing a large number of bird species. However, it is thought that ticks hitch-hike on migratory birds. So, our family is on 'tick-alert' when we are at the cabin.
     We try to avoid tall grasses and the wooded areas, but the ticks seem to be expanding to other locations. As a result, we check Hayley frequently for ticks--she loves the massages. Usually we feel the tick through her long-hair rather than seeing it first. We have removed several from her in the past few years, and the occasional one has even managed to get on one of us.  
     This spring, our veterinarian recommended NexGard for Hayley--a chewable tablet given once a month. I gave her one before the cabin opening on the May long weekend, and we didn't find any ticks on her.
     I'm told there are ticks in our area just outside of Calgary, but Hayley is confined to about an acre which is regularly mowed. Either the short grass or the cooler nights may reduce the chances of ticks finding Hayley when we are home. At least, we haven't found any ticks so far.
     I recall my father, Lloyd Lohr, telling me when I was at the farm in 2001 that when I walked in the fields that I should pull my socks up over my pant legs to keep the ticks from crawling up my legs. 
     So, enjoy the summer, but please check your dog--and yourself--for those blood-sucking arachnids, particularly if either of you are in tall grass or wooded areas.

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