Ticks are one of the common parasites of dogs. Unlike other ectoparasites that cause the dog immense discomfort, ticks cause mild irritation but when they latch onto the skin of the dog and feed, they can cause anemia. Ticks are bad news both for the dog and the dog owner as these parasites are vectors of a number of diseases that can also be transmitted to humans. A dog that is infested with ticks can get Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis thus dog owners would make sure that the infestation is resolved at once.
After the transmission of the tick borne disease, the dog will be lethargic, have fever and show signs of weakness. The pet may suffer from temporary paralysis as well. These health concerns though can be easily resolved if the tick that is feeding on the dog's blood is removed at once
Due to a high prey drive dogs are often seen wandering in grassland and woodland trails as these animals would be happiest if they are trailing prey. However, there are times when instead of coming home with a hunted prey, the dog would come home with a parasite on its back. Ticks are parasites that would patiently wait in grassland for potential hosts. The very sensitive sensors of ticks enable these parasites to recognize the approach of warm blooded creatures. Ticks have the ability to jump like a flea so that when an animal is sensed by the sensors, the tick would jump into the potential host, latched its mouth into the skin and begin a bloodmeal.
Engorged with blood, the tick that is as small as the point of a pencil can grow as big as a raisin. Although ticks would immediately suck blood after jumping on the dog's body, tick borne diseases will only be transmitted after several hours. It is therefore very important to groom the pet especially if it has been playing in grassy areas. Even if the dog is infested with ticks, transmission of diseases can be prevented if the ticks are removed at once.
A dog owner has to make it a habit to groom or to inspect a dog that has been playing outdoors especially in area where ticks are prevalent. Brush the dog's coat and thoroughly inspect the body and feel for small bumps. Ticks are not really hard to remove. Unlike fleas that are hard to remove by hand, ticks remain stationary. To remove ticks, position the tweezers as close as possible to the skin and pull the parasite in one steady motion but squeezing the tick must be avoided so that bacteria carried by the tick is not injected to the dog. Use the tweezers again if the head of the tick was left embedded into the skin. Use antiseptic solution to clean the bite area.
After the transmission of the tick borne disease, the dog will be lethargic, have fever and show signs of weakness. The pet may suffer from temporary paralysis as well. These health concerns though can be easily resolved if the tick that is feeding on the dog's blood is removed at once
Due to a high prey drive dogs are often seen wandering in grassland and woodland trails as these animals would be happiest if they are trailing prey. However, there are times when instead of coming home with a hunted prey, the dog would come home with a parasite on its back. Ticks are parasites that would patiently wait in grassland for potential hosts. The very sensitive sensors of ticks enable these parasites to recognize the approach of warm blooded creatures. Ticks have the ability to jump like a flea so that when an animal is sensed by the sensors, the tick would jump into the potential host, latched its mouth into the skin and begin a bloodmeal.
Engorged with blood, the tick that is as small as the point of a pencil can grow as big as a raisin. Although ticks would immediately suck blood after jumping on the dog's body, tick borne diseases will only be transmitted after several hours. It is therefore very important to groom the pet especially if it has been playing in grassy areas. Even if the dog is infested with ticks, transmission of diseases can be prevented if the ticks are removed at once.
A dog owner has to make it a habit to groom or to inspect a dog that has been playing outdoors especially in area where ticks are prevalent. Brush the dog's coat and thoroughly inspect the body and feel for small bumps. Ticks are not really hard to remove. Unlike fleas that are hard to remove by hand, ticks remain stationary. To remove ticks, position the tweezers as close as possible to the skin and pull the parasite in one steady motion but squeezing the tick must be avoided so that bacteria carried by the tick is not injected to the dog. Use the tweezers again if the head of the tick was left embedded into the skin. Use antiseptic solution to clean the bite area.
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