Ticks are one of the freeloaders that pester 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. Once a tick has latched into the skin of the dog to feed, there is a possibility that the dog can get Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.
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. The good news is that after the tick is removed from the dog's body, these signs would gradually be resolved
Dogs are not only very energetic animals, they have high prey drives as well thus these animals would wander in grassy and woodland areas every chance they could get. 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 opportunistic arthropods that would lay waiting in grassy areas for a victim. 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. This is where the importance of grooming comes in. Even if the ticks have managed to jump into the dog's body, the diseases can still be prevented if the ticks are removed in time.
In areas where tick infestation is common, dogs that have been playing outdoors must be thoroughly inspected for these parasites. The coat must be brushed and the hand run through the dog's body to feel for small bumps. Unlike other external parasites, ticks can be easily removed from the dog's body. Ticks do not move from where they are attached. 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. Clean the bite area with antiseptic solution.
Find out more about dog grooming as well as ticks at Sarah's Dogs.
