'They've been increasing': Manitoba seeing jump in number of ticks
This year's tick season is trending upward in Manitoba according to data and experts.
The latest numbers from etick.ca – a website where people can report tick sightings and encounters – show 68 entries in Manitoba since the beginning of March. That is up from the 23 submissions in the same time span last year.
Quinn Lawrence has a daily routine of taking her dog Cuba for a walk and that routine includes a thorough check for unwanted guests like ticks.
"We'll do the different pills that we have to do every month for her, but it's something that we have to check her all the time. And she's a black dog, so it's hard to see them on her sometimes," said Lawrence.
Entomologist Taz Stuart said it could be an especially bad year for ticks.
"A nice mild winter is one of the key things," said Stuart. You've got the perfect conditions for them. They've been increasing over the last several years."
That includes the black-legged tick and other disease-carrying types.
"Especially since 2000 (ticks have) spread literally (throughout) the southern half of Manitoba and it is spreading west as well. So more and more ticks, more chance of a prevalence of Lyme disease or other diseases."
Dr. Jonas Watson, a veterinarian at Grant Park Animal Hospital, said he has already seen about a dozen animals testing positive with antibodies to Lyme disease.
"That doesn't mean that they've got clinical illness. That just means they've been exposed. So it's a good reminder that ticks are out there," said Watson.
He said tick prevention medication is the best way to protect your pets.
"These come in usually chewable, medicated treats and sometimes as topical products. They're very effective and very safe."
Even with the medication, he recommends still looking over your pets – including their ears, eyes and mouth.
"You don't need to panic if you find a tick on your dog, and you don't need to worry about them burrowing into the dog. We usually use a tick remover device, or our own fingers, to firmly grasp the tick and yank (it) away from the animal. That usually will remove the tick in its entirety."
Stuart is reminding people to check themselves as well to ensure no tick has clung on. He recommends people check after being outdoors and consider preventative steps, like covering exposed skin and using a repellent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
Indian capital swelters as temperature hits all-time high of 52.9 C
Delhi recorded an all-time high temperature of 52.9 C (127.22 F) on Wednesday as extreme heat conditions gripped the north and western parts of India.