Remember Fido during peak tick season!

I pulled this slightly engorged female Ixodes scapularis off my dog on Tuesday, May 5th.  It had probably been attached since Sunday when I was out at my partner's farm in Carlton County, Minnesota.  This photo shows us how much a female tick can swell after approximately 36-48 hours of feeding.

 I.scapularis, adult female, slightly engorged

The ruler scale is in cm

This serves as a good reminder that it was time to repeat the dosage of my monthly tick prevention on our dogs.  You should check with your veterinarian to discuss the best method of tick prevention for your pet.  A variety of topical and oral treatments are available.

-C. Fisher, photo by C. Fisher