The Problem With Ticks

Ticks are potentially dangerous parasites commonly found throughout North America. Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not jump onto hosts or drop out of trees. Instead, they climb onto grass, bushes, or other low-lying vegetation and wait for an animal or person to brush against them. Ticks obtain all their nourishment by feeding on blood from their hosts, which commonly include dogs. You can help reduce the threat of ticks and other pests by using K9 Advantix, which is intended for use on dogs only. Ticks suck blood through mouth parts that they "cement" into their host's skin when they bite. Tick bites are usually painless. After the tick attaches to a host, which could be a person or a pet, any infection that it potentially could be carrying may be transmitted via its saliva as it feeds on the host. Infected ticks can transmit organisms that cause diseases which include the following:

LYME DISEASE

is associated with a wide range of chronic problems throughout the body. Lameness is one of the most common signs in dogs with the disease.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER

can cause major organ failure and death. As its name suggests, one of the most common signs is fever as well as bleeding.

EHRLICHIOSIS

Although once considered rare, ehrlichiosis is becoming an increasing concern in the United States. The disease causes a decrease in platelet counts in the blood and subsequent bleeding problems.

TICK LIFE CYCLE

1	Eggs Female lays eggs off host. Eggs hatch to larvae.
2	Biting Larvae Larvae feed on dogs or small mammals. Larvae leave host and molt into nymphs.
3	Biting Nymphs Nymphs feed on dogs or small mammals. Nymphs can transmit disease-causing organisms as they feed.
4	Biting Adults Adult ticks feed and mate on the host. Adults can transmit disease-causing organisms as they feed.

DIAGNOSIS

Treatment of some tick-borne diseases can be both complicated and costly. While treatment is available for some, it may not be for others, so repelling ticks to help prevent attachment is an important way to minimize your dog's risk of getting bitten by these pests and becoming infected by organisms that may cause disease. Talk to your veterinarian about which products can best repel and kill ticks on your dog.

PREVENTION FIRST

While treatment for these diseases is available, preventing ticks from attaching by repelling and killing them is important to help reduce the risk of transmission of disease-causing organisms. Talk with your veterinarian about which product can both repel and kill ticks.

You can help reduce the threat of ticks and other pests by using K9 Advantix, which is intended for use on dogs only.

*	Repels and kills Deer ticks, American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks before they can attach and possibly transmit the organisms that cause disease.
*	Provides protection for your dog against tick that may carry the organism that can cause disease.
*	Is gentle enough for puppies as young as seven weeks of age.
*	Is waterproof, so it maintains effectiveness even after swimming or bathing.
*	K9 Advantix also repels and kills fleas and mosquitoes, repels biting flies and kills lice.

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K9 Advantix is for use on dogs only.

© 2009 Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Advantage, K9 Advantix and Advantage Multi are registered trademarks of Bayer.