DUBLIN-- This is the Asian Long-horned tick. It was first discovered in a Staten Island park last year. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it been found in eight states, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
- A rapidly-spreading type of tick is causing concern for pet owners across the country.
- Asian Longhorned tick has shown up in eight states.
- Veterinarians are hoping to get the word out before it reaches Ohio.
What makes this type of tick unique is its ability to reproduce without mating.
A female can lay as many as 2,000 eggs at a time and the winter’s cold doesn’t kill them.
Doctor Michael Henricks of Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic says as Ohio winters become milder, and people travel more, there's an increased risk of exposure.
“Definitely concerned, because these are vectors, so they're carrying disease that not only affect our pets but also affect us,” says Dr. Henricks.
Right now, the CDC, says the ticks haven’t carried any disease, but continue to research, regardless. Dr. Henricks recommends giving your pet a good once-over after they’re out in tall grass or wooded areas.
“Check your dog. Look around the ears, the neck, the chest, the face. Those are common areas. Especially if you have a longer coated breed, you really want to get down there and check because that would be the first thing, just looking for ticks on board, pulling them off before they attach,” says Dr. Henricks.
Here in Ohio, deer ticks continue to pose the biggest threat to pets and their owners.
They’re the ones known to carry Lyme Disease. Dr. Henricks warns not to let your guard down about that one, either.
“The good thing most of these things are treatable. The downside is if we're not checking we don't know. So with Lyme Disease they've shown that multiple exposures have been very detrimental to the kidneys and that's something we've just kind of found out in the last two years,” says Dr. Henricks.
Vets recommend pet owners look for products that not only repel but kill ticks as well.
And if you do find a tick, use tweezers and grab the bug as close to the skin's surface as possible.