Ticks on Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know

Ticks are a common and potentially serious external parasite that can affect dogs. These small, blood-sucking arachnids attach themselves to a dog’s skin, where they feed and can transmit a variety of diseases. Understanding how to prevent, identify, and treat ticks is crucial for keeping your dog healthy.

 

What Do Ticks Look Like on Dogs?

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They are most commonly found in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas, where they wait for a host to pass by. Once a tick finds a host, it attaches itself to the skin and begins feeding, which can last several days.

There are several species of ticks that commonly infest dogs, including the American dog tick, the brown dog tick, the black-legged tick (commonly known as the deer tick), and the lone star tick. Each species can transmit different diseases, making it important to protect your dog from these pests.

Ticks on dogs can vary in appearance depending on their species and whether they have fed recently. Here’s how they typically look:

• Unfed Ticks: Before feeding, ticks are usually small, flat, and oval-shaped. They can range in size from a pinhead to about 3-5 millimeters in length. Their color varies depending on the species, but they are generally brown, reddish-brown, or black.

• Engorged Ticks: After feeding on a dog’s blood, ticks become engorged and can grow significantly in size, up to 10 millimeters or more. Engorged ticks are rounder and appear swollen, with a grayish, bluish, or greenish hue.

• Location on Dogs: Ticks tend to attach to areas where the skin is thinner and easier to penetrate, such as around the ears, neck, under the collar, between the toes, armpits, groin area, and under the tail.

Ticks can often be mistaken for skin tags or small lumps, especially when they are engorged. It’s important to carefully inspect your dog’s skin and fur regularly, especially after spending time outdoors in areas where ticks are common.

 

Types of Ticks on Dogs

Here are the primary types of ticks that affect dogs:

1. American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis): Found primarily in grassy and wooded areas, this tick is known for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

2. Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis): Also known as the black-legged tick, this species is most famous for transmitting Lyme disease. It is commonly found in the northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States.

3. Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): This tick can live indoors and outdoors and is found worldwide. It can transmit Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis to dogs.

4. Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): Found mostly in the southeastern and eastern United States, this tick is recognized by the distinctive white spot on the back of adult females. It can transmit ehrlichiosis and other diseases.

5. Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus): Similar to the Deer Tick, this tick is primarily found on the Pacific Coast and is also a carrier of Lyme disease.

 

The Symptoms of Ticks on Dogs

The symptoms of tick infestations on dogs can vary depending on the type of tick. For example, brown dog ticks may cause skin irritation or anemia due to blood loss. However, paralysis ticks, which are more dangerous, can cause more severe symptoms, typically appearing three days or more after attachment. These symptoms may include:

• Loss of Coordination: Dogs may experience weakness or paralysis, particularly in the hind legs, making them wobbly or unable to stand.
• Changes in Voice: A noticeable change in the dog’s bark or voice can occur.
• Vomiting: Dogs may start vomiting after being bitten by a paralysis tick.
• Retching, Coughing, and Loss of Appetite: These symptoms can indicate a reaction to a tick bite.
• Labored or Rapid Breathing: Difficulty breathing or an increase in the breathing rate is a serious symptom.
• Lethargy: Dogs may become unusually tired or weak after a tick bite.

 

How do Dogs Get Ticks?

Dogs typically pick up ticks during their outdoor activities. Ticks engage in a behavior called "questing," where they climb onto low grass or shrubs and wait for a host to pass by. Ticks are highly sensitive to the heat and carbon dioxide that dogs emit, signaling them that a potential host is near. When a dog brushes against the vegetation, the tick latches on with its front legs and crawls through the dog's fur to find a suitable spot to attach and feed. This often happens during walks, playtime, or any outdoor exploration.

 

How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

Removing a tick from your dog is a careful process that requires attention to detail to prevent infection. Begin by scanning your dog’s body for ticks, paying special attention to areas like between the toes, around the legs, inside the ears, and around the face, chin, and neck. Ticks can be tiny, so look for small, dark bumps that may feel like swollen areas under the skin.

Once you identify a tick, ensure it is indeed a tick by checking for its characteristic eight legs and dark color, which can range from black to brown or tan.

For safe removal, you’ll need gloves, clean tweezers or a tick remover, disinfectant or antiseptic cream, and isopropyl alcohol. Always wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the tick.

Using Tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible without pinching your dog. Pull the tick out slowly and steadily in a straight motion, being careful not to leave any parts behind that could cause infection.

Using a Tick Remover: Place the remover against your dog’s skin near the tick, then slide the notch of the remover under the tick to gently pull it free.

After removing the tick, drop it into isopropyl alcohol to kill it, and note the date you found the tick. Clean the bite area with disinfectant or antiseptic cream. If your dog shows any symptoms of a tick-borne illness, such as joint swelling, fever, fatigue, or loss of appetite, contact your veterinarian immediately, as they may need to test the tick or your dog for potential diseases.

 

When to Seek Veterinary Care

It's important to seek veterinary care if your dog shows any signs of illness or unusual behavior after a tick bite. Here are some specific situations when you should contact your vet:

1. Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases: If your dog begins to exhibit symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen joints, lameness, or neurological problems, these could be signs of a tick-borne illness like Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, or Anaplasmosis. Prompt veterinary care is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

2. Incomplete Tick Removal: If you were unable to remove the entire tick, or if any parts of the tick were left behind in your dog's skin, your vet can assist in safely removing the remaining parts to prevent infection.

3. Multiple Tick Bites: If your dog has been bitten by multiple ticks, especially over a short period, it's advisable to seek veterinary care. Multiple bites increase the risk of contracting a tick-borne disease, and your vet may recommend additional treatments or preventive measures.

4. Swelling or Infection at the Bite Site: If the area where the tick was removed becomes red, swollen, or appears infected, veterinary care is necessary. Infections can develop from bacteria introduced during the tick bite or from incomplete removal of the tick.

5. Pre-existing Health Conditions: If your dog has pre-existing health issues or is elderly, they may be more vulnerable to the effects of a tick bite or tick-borne diseases. In such cases, it's better to consult your vet even if symptoms are mild.

By seeking veterinary care in these situations, you can help ensure your dog receives the appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of complications from tick bites.

 

Diagnosis of Ticks on Dogs

Veterinarians use a combination of physical examination and diagnostic tests to diagnose tick infestations and any associated health issues in dogs. Here's how they typically approach the diagnosis:

• Physical Examination: Vets diagnose ticks on dogs through a physical exam, inspecting common areas where ticks attach, like the ears, neck, and between the toes. Palpating the body helps detect any hidden ticks or bumps.
• Tick Identification: Once a tick is found, vets identify the species to assess the potential health risks, as different ticks transmit various diseases. This helps in determining the appropriate treatment plan.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests are often recommended to detect tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease or Ehrlichiosis. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) may be done to check for signs of infection or anemia.
• Urinalysis: A urinalysis may be performed to assess kidney health, especially if the dog shows symptoms related to tick-borne diseases that can affect the kidneys, like Lyme disease.
• Advanced Imaging: In cases with severe symptoms, such as neurological issues, vets may use X-rays or ultrasounds to evaluate internal organs and rule out other conditions.
• Skin Biopsy: If the tick bite site has unusual lesions or severe reactions, a skin biopsy might be taken to confirm the diagnosis and guide further treatment.

 

Tick Prevention for Dogs

Regular Grooming and Tick Checks

Regularly grooming your dog allows you to spot ticks early before they have a chance to attach and feed. After walks or outdoor activities, especially in wooded or grassy areas, check your dog thoroughly, focusing on areas like the ears, neck, and between the toes.

Avoid High-Risk Areas

Ticks thrive in tall grasses, wooded areas, and places with dense vegetation. If possible, avoid walking your dog in these environments, particularly during peak tick season, which is typically in the warmer months.

Yard Maintenance

Keep your yard well-maintained to reduce the likelihood of ticks thriving there. Regularly mow the lawn, trim bushes, and remove leaf litter to create an environment that is less hospitable to ticks and the animals that carry them, like rodents and deer.

Regular Vet Check-ups

Routine veterinary visits are important for tick prevention. Your vet can recommend the best tick prevention products based on your dog’s lifestyle and health, and they can also check for any signs of tick-borne diseases during regular exams.

Vaccination

In areas where Lyme disease is prevalent, consider vaccinating your dog against it. While vaccination doesn’t prevent tick bites, it can protect your dog from one of the most serious tick-borne diseases. Always consult your vet to determine if this is appropriate for your dog.

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of your dog getting ticks and the associated health problems.

Read more:

External Parasites in Dogs: Understanding and Managing Common Infestations

 

Conclusion

Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they pose a significant health risk to dogs. By taking preventative measures, regularly checking your dog for ticks, and knowing how to safely remove them, you can protect your dog from these dangerous parasites and the diseases they carry. Always consult with your veterinarian for the best tick prevention strategy tailored to your dog’s needs and lifestyle.