What Montana Pet Owners Should Know About Ticks
By Dr. Jessica Bienapfl
Spring is here, the grass is green, the creeks are high, and the ticks are out! Spring is when ticks are most actively questing for food sources after a long winter dormancy.
Ticks Commonly Found in Montana
According to the CDC, the primary tick species in Montana are:
- Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) — found throughout the state
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) — found throughout the state
- American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) — primarily found in eastern Montana
Why Ticks Are More Than Just a Nuisance
Aside from being parasites, ticks are known vectors for bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. In Montana, the disease we worry about most is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). All three tick species found in our state can transmit RMSF.
How to Protect Your Pet From Ticks
Prevention is your best defense. Several effective products are available to prevent ticks from attaching or to kill them quickly after they bite. Talk to your veterinarian about the medication options that are right for your dog or cat.
Be sure to avoid folklore remedies like painting the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible.
Helpful Resources
If you find a tick on your pet, give Baxter Creek Veterinary Clinic a call at (406) 587-5537. We’re happy to help you keep your dog or cat protected through tick season and beyond.