Ticks and dogs

Overview

Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to your dog's skin to feed on your dog's blood. There are two basic types of ticks:  soft ticks and hard ticks.  Hard ticks are slow feeders, taking several days to finish their blood meal. Soft ticks are fast feeders and in a matter of hours they can enlarge with blood and blow up like a balloon, swelling to 50 times their normal size.

Symptoms

There are some ticks that transmit serious infections, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, encephalitis, ehrlichia, and babesia. Lyme disease is most common in the Northeastern United States. Babesia is more common in warm, humid areas of the south. Ehrlichia can be found throughout the United States, but it is most common in the southern states. The tick that carries Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, which is not limited to western and mountain states, can cause disease in humans also. A heavy infestation may even cause anemia or clotting disorders. Some of the more serious symptoms from tick-born diseases include:

• Bleeding disorder (nose bleeds, bruising, dark tarry stools)
• Sores
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Lost appetite
• Stiff joints
• Pale mucous membranes

Contact your veterinarian if you dog experiences any of these symptoms after exposure to ticks.

Prevention

Successful tick control starts with prevention. Make your lawn unwelcoming to these parasites by mowing the grass regularly. Trim any weeds, as ticks favor vegetation as high as several feet off the ground. Smaller ticks feed on smaller mammals, so rat and mice control will help reduce the tick population in your yard. Keep the lids securely on your garbage cans, and consider relocating your bird feeders if they attract rodents.  Fence off acess to any low-lying, damp areas of your yard as ticks prefer living in these types of environments. Before a walk in the woods or other habitat frequented by ticks, arm your dog with protection. Tick collars and topical flea and tick control are excellent methods of protection.  Avoid walking in very thick underbrush and long grass, and be sure to check your dog for ticks on a daily basis during warm weather and in the fall. 

If you comb your dog with a wide tooth flea comb right after taking a walk, chances are you will find unattached ticks crawling around. Ticks do not attach themselves right away and it is easier to remove ticks before they attach.  It is also easier to remove newly attached ticks than ones that have been feeding for a while. Ticks may be hard to spot, so run your hands slowly over your dog's body, paying extra attention to ears, head, feet, and tail as these are perfect parasite hiding places. If you feel a small lump, pull the fur apart and investigate further - an embedded tick will look like a small black or brown pimple.

Treatment

If you do find a tick on your dog, you will need to remove it right away. First, wipe the tick and the surrounding area with rubbing alcohol. Never grasp a tick between your bare fingers, if an infected tick bursts during removal, you could be exposed to any disease it may be carrying. Using a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick by the head (as close to the skin as possible), and with a rotating action, gently pull until the tick releases its grip. Do not squeeze to the point of crushing the tick as that will increase the risk of transmission of tick borne microorganisms. It is important that you remove the tick's mouth as well as its bloated body - any parts that remain behind could lead to an abscess or infection. (There are several tick removal devices available commercially that may help you remove a tick safely.)

And remember, throwing the tick in the garbage or flushing it down the toilet will not kill it. Experts recommend dropping the parasite into a small jar filled half-way with alcohol. Not only does this kill the tick, it preserves it. Should you suspect your pet has a tick-related infection, you can bring the specimen to your veterinarian for examination.

References

LDA:  Lyme Disease Action, How to Remove a Tick. March 5, 2008.