CanadaVet.com Blog

Ticks are parasites that latch onto other animals with their mouth, to feed on the blood of a host - such as your family pet! Although ticks are small, the consequences of a tick infection can be terrible for your pet. Discover what you can do to protect your pet from terrible ticks. 

Check your Pet for Ticks

Tick activity increases during warm weather; so the team at CanadaVet.com recommend checking your family pets for ticks, daily during spring: Run your hands over your pet's body to feel for bumps. If you feel a bump, part your pet's fur to examine the area closely. Ticks are dark brown or black in color. These parasites vary in size and occasionally their eight legs may be visible. While there are over 800 species of ticks; there are four terrible types commonly found in America that pet owners should watch out for.
Ticks to Watch Out for
1. Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick is typically found in warmer climates, throughout Florida. It's small and red-brow…

You might be surprised to hear it, but according to a recent study, the lifespan of an American dog or cat, depends on where you live. Regional health factors (such as heartworm disease, heat stroke and lyme disease) mean that  pets live longer in the  West,  and have the shortest lifespans in Southern states. 
After regional factors the biggest factor in determining lifespan is whether your animal is spayed or neutered.


The map shows the states in which dogs have the longest and shortest lifespans. (Click to enlarge)

According to the study by Banfield Pet Hospital, on average, American dogs live longer in South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado, and have shorter lifespans in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Delaware, and Massachusetts.  American  Cats live longer in Montana, Colorado, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Nebraska, and have shorter lifespans in Delaware, Ohio, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi. The study reports that 20 per cent of the cats in Louisiana and Mis…