The picture, shared by Jason Lapointe on Facebook, is a reddish and black translucent mass, with a slug-like texture. It looks like something you'd find washed up on the beach. It's gross!
WARNING: It's a fake
The person who posted this says you'd stumble across this while walking your dog in the woods or the countryside. And that if your pup comes into contact with it, they won't have a good time.
The post says this bubbly, slimy-looking clump of matter is a tick's nest, packed with thousands of tiny, blood-sucking parasites that can make your dog seriously ill.
The photo has been widely shared on social media, yet, it's fake! Experts say there's no such thing as a tick's nest, and besides, the eggs in the photo are much too big to be tick eggs. They're more likely a frog's or other amphibian's eggs. Ticks also lay their eggs in places that are well hidden from predators, such as crevices. It would be very unusual to find them out in the open like this.
Beware of ticks
So the photo's a fake, but the danger of ticks is real! Ticks carry harmful bacteria that can lead to all kinds of health problems in dogs, including Lyme disease. Left untreated, Lyme disease in dogs can cause kidney failure, neurological issues, and, in some cases, death.
Ticks are more active in the spring and summer, so watch out for nests when exercising your dog in rural areas. You should also check your dog for ticks when returning home.
Pay special attention to and around your dog's ears, as these are a tick's favourite hiding place. Ticks may look like small moles or warts.
Ticks embedded in the skin are harder to spot. So when performing a post-walk tick check, run your hands through your pet's fur, feeling for any small bumps. Tweezers are one of the best tools for removing ticks.
If you come across a tick on a walk, do not touch it. Ticks can also latch onto humans. If you find one in your garden, soak it in alcohol or suck it up with a vacuum cleaner.
