
Resources for Pet Owners
Tick-borne diseases are a major health hazard to humans and animals.People and their dogs often share the same environments, which means that they can have similar risks of tick exposure and potentially contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.. Ticks may sometimes even be carried into the home by companion animals.
ESCCAP UK & Ireland is a non-profit making organisation whose objective is to be a reliable source of information and advice about the control and prevention of companion animal parasites and give clear national advice to veterinary and animal care professionals and pet owners in the UK.
LRC has developed a fellowship agreement with ESCCAP, with a shared aim to raise awareness of the risks of ticks and tick borne diseases.


Date: June 2024
Author: Ian Wright
Ian Wright is a veterinary surgeon and co-owner of the mount Veterinary practice in Fleetwood. He is also chair of the European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP).
The links below contain useful information for pet owners on how to protect your companion animals from ticks and tick borne diseases:
What should I do if I think my pet has a tick-borne disease?
Advice from Dr Ian Wright:
If you think your pet has been exposed to ticks and then develops a fever, raised lymph nodes, joint pain, is lethargic or develops neurological signs (loss of balance, head tilt, tremors, or seizures) then contact your vet for advice. Some tick-borne diseases such as Lyme and TBEV are zoonotic (infect humans as well as pets) but there is no direct risk to you if your pet is infected. You may though, also have been infected at the same time enjoying the same bit of outdoors and being bitten by ticks in the same place. If you develop an erythema migrans rash, flu like signs , neurological issues or other unusual symptoms then you should contact your GP and mention that your pet has been diagnosed with a tick-borne disease.

The aim of the study was to measure the abundance of ticks feeding on dogs in the UK and the prevalence of tick borne pathogens
Parasitologist Dr Ian Wright, head of the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites UK and Ireland (ESCCAP), has warned of a growing threat from exotic ticks arriving in the UK.