By Dylana Milobar

Tick season springs upon Kamloops

Mar 28, 2019 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Now that spring has arrived, tick season has surfaced again in Kamloops.

From now until fall, healthcare professionals and veterinarians are urging people spending time outdoors to keep a watchful eye out for ticks. 

Leah Feist, Communicable Disease Specialist with Interior Health, says they have some tips for people to avoid being bitten by the unwanted insects.

“When people are outside walking or hiking, it’s best to walk on clear trails, and try to stay away from tall grass or wooded areas, and its best to try to cover up with long sleeves, pants, and a hat whenever possible.”

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While they don’t have specific numbers, Feist says the Interior Health Authority does see patients come in throughout the spring and summer for post-tick treatment.

“If you do have any tick related illness, most of the symptoms are quite similar, and they would include things like a headache, fever, and muscle pain.”

Its important for avid hikers and casual walkers alike to check their hair, skin, and clothing once they’re off the trails, but its also important for hikers to check their furry companions. 

Dog owner Debbie McCallum says when she frequents areas such as the Rivers Trail near the Kamloops Airport, she makes sure to double check her dogs afterwards.

“Its pretty hard. I just watch for if they’re scratching and stuff. But the ticks ususally come around their ears and stuff, so I make sure I go around there.”

For dog owners such as Wesley Taylor looking to take their pet out on a nature expedition, this time of year requires a bit more caution. 

“I got (my dog) some tick pills just last week actually. According to the vet, they suggest to give them tick pills all year long.”

Instead of tick collars or other less effective methods, local veterinarian Dr. Paul Hunter says pills are the way to go.

“Parasites which are feeding on the blood of the host will die in short term — in 8 hours or less.”

For pets who wind up with a more serious bite, Dr. Hunter says infection could lead to something as serious as paralysis.

“That’s our biggest reason to avoid ticks here in that we don’t really like to see our dogs paralyzed, but the good news is typically when the ticks are removed, the individual will be back up and moving within 24 hours on average.”

While ripping a tick off and squishing it may be tempting at the time, it can help to keep the bug intact, as certain species carry different diseases. 

“We can kind of tell, looking at it, what the species is ourselves, but if we’re concerned we would send it to a lab.”

All that to say, serious complications are not common in the Kamloops area with the usual suspect being the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick — not known to be a carrier of Lyme disease.