Saskatchewan experiences busy tick season

Saskatchewan is experiencing a busy tick season. CTV’s Laura Woodward on the trends researchers are seeing and the ways you can protect yourself and pets.

Saskatchewan is seeing a busy tick season this year, with researchers and veterinarians reporting higher numbers earlier than usual.

“Generally, we see ticks in pets that have been through tall grass or bush. That’s pretty common,” explained Kate Dean, a veterinary technologist at Martensville Veterinary Hospital.

“But this year we’re starting to see more pets that have just, you know, hung out in their own backyard.”

Staff at the hospital recently removed about two dozen ticks from an eight-pound dog, something they say often leaves owners surprised.

“Owners are generally pretty surprised and kind of grossed out when I find them on their pets,” Dean said.

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E-Tick, a self-reporting tick database, has already received about 750 submissions this season — a number it didn’t reach last year until the end of June.

Researchers say ticks are being detected in the north and western parts of the province — areas where they weren’t historically seen.

“Being introduced by birds or people and then established in kind of a few different spots in the province,” said Emily Jenkins, professor of veterinary microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan.

“So now it’s getting up there into areas where it’s really new.”

Most of the ticks found in Saskatchewan are American dog ticks, but researchers are keeping a close eye on black-legged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease.

“That number has been increasing every year,” Jenkins said.

Experts recommend using preventative medications for pets, and doing thorough checks after spending time outdoors.