Ticks thriving in warm winter temps

(WPRI) - Your dog may be barking for joy about temperatures in the 50s, but unfortunately ticks like this weather too.

"We actually saw a lot more ticks and flees last year, and then to not have a real cold winter has just allowed the ticks to prosper," Dr. Amy Hurd said.

Dr. Hurd at Bristol County Veterinary Hospital says people sometimes let their guard down during the winter.  While that's never a good idea, its especially dangerous this year, where she has seen too many ticks for comfort.

"Particularly those real furry dogs, if you're not really feeling them thoroughly....people are realizing, oh my gosh I've got to get the tick and flee protection going."

Hurd recommends getting a topical flee and tick protection from your vet and applying it once a month.  Using her dog Sophie for demonstration, she also explains how to check your pet daily.

"You want to get right down to the skin because you want to try not to leave any porting of the head or mouth pieces in the dog."

Left unchecked, Hurd warns ticks can give dogs and their owners Lyme disease. Cats are also susceptible to ticks, so it's important to thoroughly check them out as well.

Experts say even if you have an indoor cat you're not completely out of the woods. That's because other pets and people can bring those ticks into the house.