SALISBURY’S vets are taking action to track the growing problem of ticks in the UK by taking part in the Big Tick Project.

Tick bites can transmit serious infections, such as Lyme disease — a serious and debilitating illness that can cause long term health problems in dogs and people.

Veterinary practices in the city including The Vets, Hampton Park Vet Centre, and The Pet Practice join naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham and the University of Bristol in project.

The nationwide initiative runs from spring through to autumn, tracking the rise of the tick population in the UK and finding out how many carry disease.

Dog owners can take their pets to participating practices in the city for a tick check and advice about tick control.

Any ticks found on dogs will be collected and sent to Bristol University laboratories to help advance the knowledge of tick-borne disease, benefiting both veterinary and human medicine.

Chris Packham said: “Research highlighted by the Big Tick Project experts at Bristol University suggests that ticks are a growing problem, especially in areas such as urban parkland, woodland or open country. While I find both ticks and fleas interesting creatures, I don’t want them on my dogs, in my house, or on me.”

He added: “I want the best advice and treatment available and I know I can get this by talking to my vet.”

For more information about the Big Tick Project go to bigtickproject.co.uk