ESCCAP UK warns not to ignore ticks this winter
The UK contingent of the European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP UK) has issued a warning to ensure ticks are not forgotten this winter. Its concern is that with an imminent increase in flea numbers over the coming winter months, there is a risk ticks will be ignored.
In determination to help combat fleas this winter, vets are quite rightly stepping up the flea advice given to their clients. However, ESCCAP UK worries that tick awareness could be overlooked as a result.
ESCCAP UK warns that, at any one time in the UK, around 1.2 million dogs will have a tick, which equates to over 930,000 households that are likely to have a tick infestation. This makes them nearly twice as popular as hamsters!
Typically, ticks have two seasons in the UK – spring and autumn. A species called ixodes spp. are most commonly seen in this country, but there are increasing reports of European ticks being found on animals seen in practice. ESCCAP UK says these foreign ticks could potentially be carrying diseases only usually seen in mainland Europe, and may behave in a less seasonal fashion.
If ticks are being noticed in owners’ homes, or in the case of persistent tick problems, species identification should be carried out.
Whilst owners are becoming more clued up about pet health issues, ticks are often viewed as nothing more than a bit of a nuisance. To avoid potential long-term problems though, owners must be educated about correct tick removal methods, effective prophylaxis and the risk of tick-borne diseases – both from UK and European species – particularly when there is zoonotic potential.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
