Ticks are a major headache for dog owners, especially during the warmer months. These little parasites can transmit diseases and make your furry friend seriously ill.
Knowing how to handle ticks is key to protecting your dog’s health. Spotting them early and taking steps to prevent them can make a huge difference.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ticks and dogs, including how to identify them, how to prevent them from latching on, how to safely remove them, and what diseases they can carry. Let’s get started protecting your pup!
What are ticks?
Ticks are arachnids, not insects, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Adult ticks have eight legs and no antennae. Adult insects have six legs and antennae. You can find ticks all over the world.
Ticks are parasites. They feed on blood. Besides being creepy and gross, ticks are very good at spreading diseases.
Tick Life Cycle
Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Female ticks can lay anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 eggs at a time. Once hatched, ticks need a blood meal at each stage to move to the next.
Ticks find hosts by “questing.” This means they hang out on vegetation, waiting for an animal or person to brush by. They can sense breath, body odor, body heat, moisture, and vibrations.
And they’re patient. American dog tick larvae can survive up to 540 days without food. Nymphs can last up to 584 days, and adults can live for up to two years without a host.
Common Tick Species Affecting Dogs
Different types of ticks are common in different regions, and each species has a different life cycle and egg-laying capacity. Here’s a quick look at some of the ticks that might be bugging your dog:
American Dog Tick
- Geographic distribution: Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and eastern US
- Number of eggs laid: 4,000 to 6,500
Lone Star Tick
- Peak populations: March to July
- Hosts: Wide range of mammals and birds
Deer Tick or Blacklegged Tick
- Primary vector for Lyme disease
- Number of eggs laid: Females lay up to 2,000 eggs
Brown Dog Tick
- Unique characteristic: Can complete its entire life cycle indoors
- Number of eggs laid: Can lay 5,000 eggs
Longhorned Tick
- First detected in the US: 2017
- Unique characteristic: Can reproduce asexually (parthenogenesis)
Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs
Ticks aren’t just annoying, they can transmit serious diseases to your dog. Here are a couple of the more common ones:
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. It can be tricky to spot in dogs because symptoms are often delayed and hard to detect.
Clinical signs can include:
- Lameness
- Fever
- Lethargy
- A reluctance to move, sometimes described as “walking on eggshells”
Lyme disease is diagnosed with antibody and PCR tests and is treated with antibiotics.
Other Tick-Borne Diseases
Besides Lyme disease, ticks can transmit other nasty diseases to dogs, including:
- Ehrlichiosis: Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria, ehrlichiosis can cause fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems like kidney disease.
- Anaplasmosis: Caused by Anaplasma bacteria, anaplasmosis shares many of the same symptoms as ehrlichiosis, including fever, lethargy, and joint pain. It can also lead to bleeding disorders in some cases.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, this disease can cause fever, rash, and neurological problems. It’s important to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your dog has Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
How to protect your dog from ticks
The best way to keep your dog safe from ticks is a multi-pronged approach:
- Check your dog for ticks every day, especially after they’ve been outside.
- Talk to your vet about tick prevention medications. There are topical treatments you apply to their skin, pills they can swallow, and even tick collars. Your vet can help you decide what’s best for your dog.
- Control the environment. Keep your yard tidy by mowing the grass and getting rid of piles of leaves. If possible, avoid walking your dog in heavily wooded or grassy areas.
- Consider the Lyme disease vaccine. This vaccine can protect your dog from Lyme disease, but it’s not perfect. It requires two doses, spaced a few weeks apart, and then an annual booster to maintain protection. Talk to your veterinarian about whether the Lyme vaccine is right for your dog.
How to remove ticks from dogs
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it right away.
You can use fine-tipped tweezers, a tick twister, a tick key, or even a fine-tooth comb. With whatever tool you choose, grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Then, gently pull the tick straight out. Try not to twist or jerk it, as this can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and stay in your dog’s skin.
After you remove the tick, disinfect the bite area and wash your hands thoroughly.
If you want to know what kind of tick it was, put it in a sealed container with rubbing alcohol and label it with the date and where you found it on your dog.
Avoid using petroleum jelly, heat, or other home remedies, as these are generally ineffective and can even be harmful.
Key Takeaways
Ticks are more than just a nuisance; they carry diseases that can seriously harm your dog. That’s why tick awareness and prevention are so important. It’s also why you should be vigilant about checking your dog for ticks, especially after they’ve been outside in wooded or grassy areas.
Preventative measures, such as tick repellents and regular grooming, can significantly reduce the risk of infestation.
Talk with your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your dog from ticks and the diseases they carry. A vet can offer personalized advice based on your dog’s lifestyle and your local tick population.