News & Advice

Ticks love spring

Nov 2, 2021 | Dry stock, Dry stock animal health & welfare

Ashley O’Driscoll, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Ngaruawahia

It’s spring, the flowers are blooming, the grass is growing… and the ticks are biting!
Ticks are out in large numbers this spring, but you may not have noticed. The ticks are often very small, depending on the life stage. If you want to check for ticks on your cattle or sheep, look closely at the ears, under the chin, and between the back legs.

Ticks can carry Theileria (a disease that causes anaemia in cattle), but tick control has never been shown to be an effective way of controlling Theileria.

Large numbers of ticks can cause irritation and decreased weight gain. In very small animals (lambs and fawns), ticks can cause life-threatening anaemia. And don’t forget about our pets; dogs and cats are also affected by ticks at this time of the year.

If you think that treating for ticks is the right decision for your herd, flock, or pet, contact your local Anexa Vet clinic to work through your options.

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