Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker – Excerpt from Save McLaren Park Newsletter
Ticks are currently abundant in McLaren Park. Tom Scott of Save McLaren Park said, “In the past two weeks alone I’ve found 3 different ticks on me. I don’t recall finding any ticks in the previous 8 years that I’ve been going to the park. My dog remains tick-free thanks to the medication she uses.”
Suggestions when going to the park: Apply mosquito repellent, especially to your legs and even if you’re wearing pants. Also, it’s a good idea to check yourself after returning from the park. Ticks tend to go for warm moist areas, such as armpits and groins.
Tom explains, “the ticks I found on myself have been identified as Dermacentor variabilis, also known as American Dog Tick and Wood Tick. This species is not known to carry Lyme Disease, but it can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s unlikely, though, that the ticks in McLaren carry this disease. I don’t think this is an urgent health concern for park users, but something to be aware of.”
Five documented cases of Leptospirosis in the past two months!  Don’t let your pets near muddy puddles in the parks or dead seals on the beaches!  Leptospirosis is rarely seen in San Francisco’s dog population, but this year, it’s rampant.
This potentially fatal bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals, particularly wildlife like raccoons, skunks and coyotes.  If excreted in standing water, it can live for weeks if not months, infecting dogs and other animals tramping through or drinking from puddles.  This year’s marked increase in leptospirosis cases is likely due to the mud and puddles left by the rains.
When the disease is caught in time, most studies show a 75 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, the initial symptoms can be hard to recognize. Symptoms are often non-specific and variable, and can include lethargy, decreased appetite, increased drinking and/or urination, vomiting or diarrhea.
Leptospirosis is preventable: the canine DHLPP vaccine protects against the bacteria, as well as against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Though the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, it is a dog’s best defense.
If your dog seems to be under the weather, “it is important to bring up to your veterinarian that your dog is out at the park or swims a lot, as these lifestyle components increase exposure to leptospirosis.
The DHLPP vaccination is available at any veterinary office.
The San Francisco Dog Walker’s Guide to Removing Ticks
While ticks may seem like little nuisances to our canine companions, they can carry illnesses threatening health. As dogs spend warm seasons roaming the great outdoors, these parasites cling to their fur. An informed owner knows ticks endanger more than our dog’s comfort—detection and disposal defend against diseases spread.  However, vigilant examination and effective removal can eliminate the hazards of hitchhiking ticks.
Most Common Ticks in San Fransisco
The American dog tick
The American dog tick is perhaps the most well-known of the North American hard ticks. This tick does not carry Lyme disease but can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. As a San Francisco dog walker, I have encountered them numerous times. The American dog tick
The black-legged tick
The Western black-legged tick lives in the western part of North America and is responsible for spreading Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It tends to prefer livestock such as cows as its adult host. The Western black-legged tick
Why Ticks Are Dangerous for Dogs
Ticks are external parasites that latch onto your dog’s skin to feed on their blood. Unfortunately, ticks can transmit Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. That makes it critical to understand how to get rid of dog ticks quickly and effectively. Golden Gate Park and Fort Funston are crawling with ticks. Even if your dog has prevention, such as a tick collar, they still crawl off of him and on to you! Be sure to check your dog over carefully when you return home and frequent grooming and chemicals for control may help to control the spread.
Ticks can detect heat emitted from dogs and humans from far distances and will often situate themselves on well traveled paths to gain access to hosts. They will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases ticks will live for some time on the blood of an animal. Ticks are more active outdoors in warm weather, but can attack a dog at any time. Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested regions throughout the world. As a San Francisco dog walker, I find that they are especially common in areas where there are deer trails or human tracks. Ticks are especially abundant near water, where warm-
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be lethal. Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache and muscle pain followed by development of rash. The disease can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and without prompt and appropriate treatment, it can be fatal. Tetracycline has dramatically reduced the number of deaths caused by Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain Spotted FeverÂ
Frequent grooming and chemicals may help control the spread. Check your dog over when you get home. Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat or just simply wash them in hot water.  Be sure to check yourself over too!
Tools You’ll Need for Tick Removal From Dogs
Before you begin the process, gather the following tools to ensure you can safely handle tick removal from your dog:
Tick Remover Tool or Tweezers: Designed for safe and effective tick extraction.
Gloves: Protect your hands from direct contact with ticks.
Antiseptic Solution: This is used to clean the bite area after removal.
Sealable Container: This is for storing the tick if testing for diseases is required.
Magnifying Glass: Helps spot small ticks that are difficult to see.
Having the right tools makes the process smoother and reduces the risk of leaving parts of the tick embedded in your dog’s skin.
 How to Remove Ticks From Dogs at Home
If you’ve discovered a tick on your dog, here’s how to remove ticks from your dog at home safely:
Prepare and Restrain Your Dog Keep your dog calm and still to make the removal process easier. You can use a leash, treats or another person to help gently hold your dog in place.
Find the Tick Ticks like hot places in the body, like on the ears, under the collar, in the armpit, and between the toes. Unearth your dog’s fur with a magnifying glass if you want.
Ticks can detect heat emitted from dogs and humans from far distances and will often situate themselves on well-traveled paths to gain access to hosts. They will generally drop off the animal when full, which may take several days.
Remove the Tick Using a Tick Remover Tool: Slide the tool under the tick and gently twist it to remove it completely.
Using Tweezers: Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible without pinching your dog. Pull upward slowly to remove the tick without breaking it apart.
Ticks are more active outdoors in warm weather but can attack a dog anytime. In some cases, ticks will live for some time in the blood of an animal.
Dispose of the Tick Place the tick in a sealable container or submerge it in rubbing alcohol. If you suspect it may have transmitted a disease, save it for testing.
Clean the Area Use antiseptic to disinfect the bite site. Monitor the area for signs of redness, swelling, or infection.
Common Tick Hot Spots and Prevention Tips
Ticks are a vector for diseases and thrive in areas frequented by warm-blooded animals. As a San Francisco dog walker, I find ticks are especially common in places with deer trails, human tracks, and water sources where animals come to drink.
Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested regions throughout the world. In San Francisco, areas like Golden Gate Park and Fort Funston are hot spots. Always check your dog after walks, as ticks often hide in shrubs and meadows and brush near woody surfaces. Golden Gate Park and Fort Funston are crawling with ticks. Even if your dog has prevention, such as a tick collar, they still crawl off of him and onto you! Frequent grooming and chemicals may help control the spread. Check your dog over when you get home. Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat or just simply wash them in hot water.  Be sure to check yourself over too!
Preventing Tick Infestations
While knowing how to get rid of dog ticks is important, prevention is even better. Here are tips to minimise your dog’s exposure:
Buy Tick Preventative Products: Pick veterinarian-approved products, such as collars and topical or oral medicines.
Look Your Dog Over After Walks: Check their coat and skin closely, looking in common hiding places for ticks.
Avoid the Tick Zones: Avoid high grass, brushy paths, and hot mattress area constraints.
Groom Regularly: Brushing helps remove ticks before they latch onto your dog.
Maintain Your Yard: Clean your outdoor space by mowing the lawn and trimming bushes.
When to See a Veterinarian
Seek your vet within 24 hours for any signs of fever, lethargy, joint pain, or swelling around a bite. Identifying and treating tick-borne diseases early is important to keep your dogs safe.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Dog Tick-Free
Knowing how to get rid of ticks on dogs is a must if you own a dog. Whether you handle tick removal at home or be proactive, keeping your pup safe takes diligence and consistency. Watch for ticks after going to tick-heavy areas like Golden Gate Park or Fort Funston.
Following this guide and incorporating regular grooming, chemical preventatives, and routine checks ensure your dog stays healthy, comfortable, and tick-free. Let ticks be one less thing to worry about while enjoying the outdoors with your furry friend!
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Five documented cases of 
