Ticks
In Brad Paisley’s popular song, he sings a humorous lyric, “I’d like to check you for ticks.” While the song is funny, ticks are no laughing matter. Feeding on the blood of mammals and birds, ticks latch on and suck the blood of its host for hours—even several days—if allowed. They attach to the host by physical contact only, and they drop off when they’re full (unless pulled off by its host).
Animals—particularly the young or the aging and weak—are particularly susceptible to ticks, and many can die if left untreated. Ticks are also dangerous to humans; they carry diseases, and they’re specifically known to carry Lyme disease. To pull off a feeding tick, use fine tweezers, pull up and away from the skin, and discard any other parts (ensure the mouth parts have all been removed). Then, sterilize the area using soap and warm water. Make certain you see a physician as soon as possible to ensure the tick did not transmit any diseases.
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