ticks on a cocker spaniel

Question
How do we get rid of ticks on our cocker spaniel? We use a topical (frontline Plus) also we live on a boat in Key West, Florida. So he doesn't go off the boat and there is no grass near us.

Answer
Hi Nancy

Frontline can take 18 to 48 hours before you'll see dead ticks. The ticks may have time to attach and begin feeding, a day or two later when the ticks are dead, many of them stay attached and must be removed by hand. Frontline doesn't prevent or repell new ticks from getting on your dog.

The reason for the delay in killing is because it takes up to 24 hours for the  Frontline spread all over the body in the skin's oil layer.

Other brands of flea/tick prevention may not kill ticks any quicker. I know that Revolution can take up to 5 days before ticks begin to die.

Ticks attached longer than a day can spread Lyme disease.
Brush your dog daily during tick season. It helps you stay on top of removing ticks. Frequent cleaning of your dog's bedding is also strongly recommended.

Your dog doesn't have to be in grasses to pick up ticks. Since ticks cannot hop or fly to get to their host, they must climb onto an object (such as tall vegetation, fences, etc.) Detecting shadows, vibrations, exhaled carbon dioxide or other host odors, the tick then drops from their tall perch to attach themselves to their host.

Besides using the topical treatment on your dog, you may want to also treat your home with products such as  BioSpot Carpet Spray, or Zodiac Carpet & Upholstery Flea & Tick Spray. They kills ticks and adult fleas and prevents re-infestation for several months. Look for these products, and others like  them at larger pet stores, such as PetSmart and PetCo.

Best of luck,
Patti