AKRON, N.Y. (WKBW — Ticks are common in New York and are usually seen during the summer time.
The common preventive treatments for both dogs and cats are prescription tablets, topicals and collars.
Dr. Glenn Buckley, a veterinarian, has two dogs who love to go for walks with him, and he said to always look for ticks, especially on your dog's ears.
"If you do find a tick, the best way to remove it is to take a tweezer," he said. "Isolate the tick so you can get down to the base of where the tick is, and just take the tweezers and pinch the tick. But don't squeeze it just grab it."
Once you've grabbed it, give it a tug and it should come right off.
Make sure no part of the tick is left behind.
"Another good place to look is in the feet. And you just want to spread the toes, and look down between each toe,"
Dr. Buckley said not all ticks carry Lyme disease, but said it's better to be safe than sorry. There is a vaccine for Lyme disease.
"To prevent Lyme disease in regards to later on having to treat in with antibiotics, doing the testing for it, you will definitely save some money by doing the vaccination and doing the prevention," he said.
Dr. Bukley owns Pet Rescue Rx in Akron, a "pets before profits pharmacy."
If your veterinarian prescribes medicine for your pet, you have the option of getting it from Pet Rescue Rx.
All profits go to an animal shelter or rescue of your choice, and he said they've given $125,000 so far.
Dr. Buckley said a topical treatment is very effective, but if you bathe your dogs often, it will get washed off.
An anti-flea and tick collar, he said, is also effective and lasts several months.
If you choose the oral medication, Dr. Buckley said to make sure to let your vet know first if your pet has any pre-existing medical conditions.
