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       Manitoba seeing an increase in ticks
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       This year's tick season is trending upward in Manitoba according to
       data and experts.
        
       The latest numbers from etick.ca - a website where people can report
       tick sightings and encounters - show 68 entries in Manitoba since the
       beginning of March. That is up from the 23 submissions in the same
       time span last year.
        
       Quinn Lawrence has a daily routine of taking her dog Cuba for a walk
       and that routine includes a thorough check for unwanted guests like
       ticks.
        
       "We'll do the different pills that we have to do every month for her,
       but it's something that we have to check her all the time. And she's a
       black dog, so it's hard to see them on her sometimes," said Lawrence.
        
       Entomologist Taz Stuart said it could be an especially bad year for
       ticks.
        
       "A nice mild winter is one of the key things," said Stuart. You've got
       the perfect conditions for them. They've been increasing over the last
       several years."
        
       That includes the black-legged tick and other disease-carrying types.
        
       "Especially since 2000 (ticks have) spread literally (throughout) the
       southern half of Manitoba and it is spreading west as well. So more
       and more ticks, more chance of a prevalence of Lyme disease or other
       diseases."
        
       Dr. Jonas Watson, a veterinarian at Grant Park Animal Hospital, said
       he has already seen about a dozen animals testing positive with
       antibodies to Lyme disease.
        
       "That doesn't mean that they've got clinical illness. That just means
       they've been exposed. So it's a good reminder that ticks are out
       there," said Watson.
        
       He said tick prevention medication is the best way to protect your
       pets.
        
       "These come in usually chewable, medicated treats and sometimes as
       topical products. They're very effective and very safe."
        
       Even with the medication, he recommends still looking over your pets -
       including their ears, eyes and mouth.
        
       "You don't need to panic if you find a tick on your dog, and you don't
       need to worry about them burrowing into the dog. We usually use a tick
       remover device, or our own fingers, to firmly grasp the tick and yank
       (it) away from the animal. That usually will remove the tick in its
       entirety."
        
       Stuart is reminding people to check themselves as well to ensure no
       tick has clung on. He recommends people check after being outdoors and
       consider preventative steps, like covering exposed skin and using a
       repellent.
        
        
        
        
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