Ticks and Dogs
Many dog owners have experienced the problem of ticks on their pets. It seems like you can't go to the park in the spring, summer, or fall without your dog being covered with ticks. Today there are numerous products available to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog. It is very important to take advantage of these products because ticks can be carriers of many deadly infectious diseases.
If you do find any ticks on your dog, it is important to remove them as soon as possible. To do so, grasp the tick firmly with a tweezer and pull gently, being sure to remove the entire tick. Do not touch the tick with your bare hands, because you do not want to be exposed to the potentially fatal diseases the tick is carrying. In some cases you may want to preserve the tick and bring it to your veterinarian for identification. Certain diseases are only transmitted by certain ticks, so identifying the type of tick on your dog can help narrow down the list of possibilities.
One of the most common tick-borne diseases affecting both dogs and humans is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the agent Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread by the deer tick. This disease is most prevalent in certain parts of the country such as the East Coast, Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Infection with this disease often causes lameness, arthritis and swollen joints. There is a vaccine available against Lyme disease. It is a good idea to have your dog vaccinated if you live in a high-risk area and are concerned about exposure to this disease. Talk to your veterinarian if you are interested in this vaccine.
There are numerous other tick-borne diseases that can infect dogs. These include ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), and babesia, as well as a few other less common diseases. Ehrlichia is the most common tick-borne diseases and causes numerous bleeding disorders and anemia. This can occur year-round and ticks must be attached for 24-48 hours to transmit the disease.
RMSF causes fever, neurological signs, anemia, bleeding disorders and breathing abnormalities. This is most common in the summer months and usually occurs in the southeastern United States, although cases have been reported from all over the US. There is no vaccine available. A tick must be attached for 5-20 hours to spread this disease.
Babesia is a tick-borne parasite that infects red blood cells. This leads to anemia, jaundice, fever, and bleeding disorders. Dogs who are affected with this disease may be weak and have pale or yellowish gums. This occurs most commonly in greyhounds.
All of these tick-borne diseases are potentially life threatening to your beloved pet. Because these disease are transmitted by the bite of an attached tick, the prevention of tick bites and attachment to your pet are the best defense against these diseases. There are numerous sprays, spot-ons, dips and collars that can be used to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog. Your veterinarian can recommend the best product for you to use. Since many of these diseases take many hours to be transmitted, it is also of paramount importance to remove all ticks from your dog immediately upon finding them. Whenever you go out to a wooded area or somewhere there is tall grass and there is likely exposure to ticks, examine your dog's entire body for ticks. Be sure to check in the ears and between the toes as well. If removed in time, there will be no lasting damage from the nasty bite of a tick. Happy hunting!