Woodie the woodtick

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Woodie

CERTIFIED

MinnSARDA Unit Mascot

MinnSARDA recognizes that Woodie, and his friends, have no real redeeming qualities. (Except, for possibly being part of the food chain.) We have also come to recognize that "Woodie" is a seasonal member of our unit. The tick, all varities included, is an evil little critter that is common to all of Minnesota. Ticks hide on furry woodland creatures and jump off of grass and brush on to any unsuspecting SAR unit member that happens by. We do battle with these little buggers with various chemicals, lotions and sprays. We dress for the battle by tucking BDUs into socks and wear long-sleeved shirts in the 90 degree weather. Our battle cry is .... TICK CHECK! Encounters with the little beasties seem to be inevitable. Woodie, tends to show up at the most inopportune times. For example, after a long day of training in the woodlands and fields of Minnesota, Woodie can often be discovered crawling up the back of ones leg while unit members are headed home on Interstate 94 at 65 miles per hour. Woodie is also a regular at most meals after unit trainings. It is not uncommon to discover, much to everyone's horror, Woodie creeping up a neck at 3 AM. I know, I know, it's hard to believe that after a shower and a tick check on both yourself and your K9, the unthinkable would happen again. Yet, it does. That creepy, crawly feeling as you pinch the offending little bugger between your fingers, while you fling the covers off the bed, the remote controle goes flying, K9s dive for cover under the bed, your other hand reaching for a light switch....The stuff of nightmares. On a more serious note, please read the following for important information on Woodie and his friends.

When walking or hiking in wooded or grassy areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and light-colored, long-sleeved shirts. Ticks show up better on white or light colored-clothing rather than darker clothing. Spray your clothes with insect repellant. Check yourself and your pets frequently. If you find ticks, remove them immediately by using tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Be sure to remove the entire tick including the head. Ticks that carry Lyme disease are usually so small that they are almost impossible to see. After returning home, remove and launder clothes. Thoroughly inspect all skin surface areas, including your scalp. Don't forget about your pet. Thoroughly comb out the coat and inspect your pet. The use of topical treatments for your pet should be used thoughout the spring, summer and fall season.

Warning: This tick can transfer disease organisms from one host to the next, including those that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia,tick paralysis and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an acute inflammitory disease characterized by skin changes, joint inflammation and flu-like symptoms caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick. Symptoms resolve in 3-4 weeks even without treatment, but secondary or tertiary disease may develop if initial infection is not treated. After a walk through a field, it is wise to inspect clothing and hair for ticks. Ifbitten, be sure to remove tick head to prevent infection, then burn the tick or drown it in alcohol.

Click on this link to learn about tick diseases in dogs

Tick prevention tips pdf file