Tick-ety Boo?

We have just returned from a lovely short break up on the North Yorkshire Moors, but for the first time in a good number of years, had a problem with sheep ticks on our dogs.

Our dogs, Labradors, are routinely treated for fleas and ticks on a monthly basis. We have to do it monthly, as one of our dogs has a skin condition making him very susceptible to insect bites of any kind. We use a veterinary recommended product called Stronghold, which as far as we are aware treats for both fleas and ticks. So imagine our horror at finding some of these obnoxious insects embedded in our beloved pets! We shot off to the local town, only to find that everywhere had sold out of the tick removing tools, as the problem is currently rife! One pet shop had sold a dozen that morning! Luckily we got one, and managed to remove the ticks we found, but the dogs did pick up more, so we had a check over after every walk.

This is just a reminder to be careful if in this area, which is covered with sheep at the moment. We shall ask our vet if we need to do more to try and prevent our dogs being bitten as well. Locals told us that the milder Winters are not killing off as many nasty bugs nowadays. If anyone has ideas on how to prevent getting them, then please pass on, we wondered if garlic tablets might help?