Ticks - those irritating, little, crawling, black, sesame seed-looking parasites that prey on dogs and cats - are common in Marin. They are especially noticeable during the rainy season from November to May, and the spring and summer months.

Cleverly engineered creatures, ticks secrete saliva that produces an anesthetic effect at the site of the bite, which is why we often don't know we've been bitten by a tick until some time later. The saliva contains an anti-clotting agent to keep the blood flowing, and it also acts like cement, helping to anchor the tick in place and make it harder for you to remove.

TICK PREVENTION PRODUCTS

Frontline Plus kills four major ticks, including the one that may carry Lyme disease. Versions are available for both dogs and cats.

K9 Advantix repels ticks so that ticks do not attach to a dog. Not available for cats.

Revolution prevents the American dog tick and several other parasites. Like the previous two products, it is a topical medication to be used monthly. Available for both dogs and cats.

The Preventic collar (for dogs only) is designed to provide safe and 97 percent effective control of ticks for up to three months and begins working within 48 hours of application. Preventic collars can be used in combination with other flea and tick medications.

HOW CAN I PREVENT TICK BITES?

Mowing your lawn frequently and keeping brush cleared will help eliminate the habitat of other tick hosts, like small rodents. You can also treat your lawn with an outdoor tick repellent or residual insecticide.

HOW SHOULD I REMOVE A TICK?

Quickly. Studies suggest that it takes at least 24 hours, and perhaps as long as 36 to 48 hours, for a tick to transmit an infection. The less time a tick feeds on your pet, the less risk of infection.

Shield your fingers with a tissue, paper towel or rubber gloves. Then, using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure.

Don't twist, "unscrew" or jerk the tick; this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove mouthparts with tweezers. Don't squeeze, crush or puncture the tick's body. This can squeeze tick fluids, which may contain infectious organisms, into the bloodstream.

Don't use petroleum jelly, hot matches or alcohol to remove a tick. These methods may make matters worse by irritating the tick and provoking it to release additional saliva or regurgitate its gut contents, increasing the chances of infection transmittal.

Thoroughly disinfect the bite site after removing the tick and wash your hands with soap and water.

TICK-BORNE DOG DISEASES

Dr. Belinda Evans, Marin Humane Society veterinarian, notes that tick-borne diseases in this area of the country are pretty rare. "Lyme disease in dogs and cats is not as severe a disease as it is in people, and is usually easily treated with an antibiotic. The Lyme vaccine for dogs is somewhat controversial, with many vets feeling that good tick control is more important in preventing disease."

That said, a friend's dog was successfully treated for Lyme disease just a month ago. Chance went from a healthy, young, competitive agility dog to a stiff, lethargic, pain-ridden, arthritic dog in just a couple of days. Fortunately, once on antibiotics, his recovery was as meteoric as his decline. Chance will continue with regular monitoring, but all appears well.

Check, please!

Jean Mansen is a dog behavior volunteer at the Marin Humane Society.

Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal