With spring weather drawing people and pets outdoors across the Kootenays, the BC SPCA is urging pet owners to take precautions against ticks and other parasites that become more active this time of year.
Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses that may not show symptoms right away.
According to the BC SPCA, affected pets may experience fever, lethargy, lameness, appetite loss, bruising, or bleeding.
In some cases, tick-borne diseases can lead to more serious complications if not treated promptly.
Early detection and proper tick removal are key to reducing health risks.
Dr. Rachel Groarke, the BC SPCA’s manager of shelter medicine, advises that ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans.
While not all ticks carry disease, she notes that the risk has been rising in B.C., including the Kootenays, and that awareness is especially important during the warmer months when pets are more likely to spend time in tall grass, wooded areas, or parks.
The BC SPCA recommends pet owners to contact their veterinarian if a tick is found on their animal.
Veterinarians can remove the tick safely, advise on proper removal techniques, and conduct follow-up care.
A blood test may be used to check for exposure to tick-borne illness.
The organization cautions against outdated tick removal methods — such as burning or smothering — as these may increase the risk of disease transmission.
Daily tick checks are encouraged, especially for animals that frequent outdoor areas.
Groarke advises pet owners to check between the toes, under the legs, around the ears, and along the tail, all common hiding places for ticks.
Tick prevention medications prescribed by a veterinarian can offer an extra layer of protection, and the BC SPCA encourages pet owners to request tick checks during regular vet visits.
In addition to caring for pets directly, the BC SPCA recommends managing outdoor spaces to reduce tick populations.
Keeping grass trimmed, removing fallen leaves, and clearing brush can help make yards less welcoming to ticks.
The organization also reminds the public that fleas — like ticks — can transmit disease and affect both pets and people, and that wildlife such as deer can bring these parasites into neighbourhoods.
Although the current risk of tick-borne illness in the Kootenays remains relatively low, the BC SPCA says that risk has grown in recent years.
Preventive care and early action remain essential to keeping pets healthy during tick season.
