With the weather warming up, we are spending more time outside with our pups! Here’s what you need to know to protect your pet from ticks and what to look for when looking for ticks or symptoms of infection. Dogs are exposed to ticks in wooded areas and tall grasses. Imagine anywhere off-trail on a hike, that’s where ticks live.
Prevention
There are a variety of products to prevent ticks from latching to your dog. Commonly, these products will also prevent fleas.
Some of these are:
Seresto Collars – Physical collars that must have skin contact to be effective
Vectra 3D and K9 Advantix II – Topical medications
Always consult your vet for recommendations that would work best for your pet. Every dog can react differently to certain medications, so a consultation is very important when picking products for your dog.
Checking Your Dog For Ticks
When checking your dog for ticks, go slowly and be thorough. Feel for a small bump and look for a small, 8-legged insect that is either black, brown, or tan.
Safe Removal
To safely remove a tick from your dog, you will need the following supplies:
- Gloves
- Tweezers/Tick Remover
- Disinfectant or Antiseptic Cream
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Using Tweezers:
Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible without pinching the skin. Begin to pull it out in a slow, straight, and steady motion. Avoid pulling it out quickly as any left over pieces can lead to infection.
Using a Tick Remover:
Gently press the remover against your pet’s skin near the tick. Then slide the notch of the remover under the tick, pulling it free.
Once the tick is removed, dispose of it in isopropyl alcohol and note the date you found the tick. This will help monitor the progression of healing or the rise of infection.
Wash your hands and clean the wound with antiseptic. Make sure to clean the tool used for removal with isopropyl alcohol.
Common Tick Borne Diseases
Lyme Disease
Transmitted by infected black-legged ticks or deer ticks, this is one of the most common diseases contracted from ticks in both animals and humans. Symptoms of Lyme disease includes lethargy, lameness, fever, joint pain or swelling, and enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Canine Bartonellosis
This is a less common disease found in dogs, however the symptoms can be severe. Early symptoms include fever and lameness. When left untreated, this condition can develop heart and liver diseases.
Rickettsial Diseases
Rickettsial bacteria can cause a variety of diseases and they can be quite hard to diagnose.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This disease is carried by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Brown Deer Tick, and American Dog Tick. This disease is not exclusive to dogs, it can also infect humans. The symptoms include: swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, poor appetite, and fever. Some dogs can also experience neurological symptoms such as balance issues or weakness.
Canine Ehrlichiosis
This disease is carried by the American Dog Tick, Brown Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. The symptoms of Ehrlichiosis can appear 1-3 weeks after infection and they include fever, poor appetite, nose bleeds, and bruising. Early diagnosis and treatment are ideal for the best outcome and to prevent long term effects.
Canine Anaplasmosis
The most common symptoms of anaplasmosis include lethargy, loss of appetite, stiff joints, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can also lead to seizures in some dogs.
Protozoal Diseases
Protozoal intracellular parasites like to make a home out of dog’s red blood cells.
Canine Babesiosis
Primarily spread by Brown Dog Ticks or American Dog Ticks. Spreading can also occur from the bite of an infected dog, contaminated IV blood, or from an infected pregnant dog to her unborn puppies. This disease attacks the red blood cells, causing them to break down. Symptoms include Jaundice, pale gums, lethargy, dark colored urine, and in some cases, generalized weakness and vomiting.
Canine Hepatozoonosis
Can be contracted from a tick as well as the consumption of an infected animal such as a bird or a rodent. Dogs infected with this disease often show little to no symptoms. However more serious cases can have a strong impact on a dog’s mobility such as muscle, bone, and/or joint pain. Other symptoms include fever, pale gums & skin, and enlarged lymph nodes.
If your dog is experiencing any signs of infection or illness contact your vet immediately!