Dec 5, 2024
If your dog spends time outdoors, they could encounter ticks. These tiny, blood-sucking parasites pose serious health risks to your dog. Ticks can latch onto your dog unnoticed, feeding on their blood and causing a variety of diseases.
What makes ticks particularly troublesome is their stealth. They are super hard to spot as they hide in areas where they’ll be hard to find. These are areas under your dog’s collar, between their toes, or near their ears. A tick bite can lead to infections and serious issues if not detected and removed promptly.
What are Ticks?
Ticks on dogs are external parasites that survive by sucking blood from hosts, which include mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. These arachnids are small but dangerous, capable of transmitting diseases through their saliva as they feed.
Ticks have specially designed mouthparts that allow them to pierce a dog’s skin and remain attached without falling off. Once latched on, they can stay for days and feed on your dog’s blood.
Common Ticks on Dogs
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
The brown dog tick thrives in warm climates and can be found both indoors and outdoors, hiding in cracks, furniture, and dog bedding. This tick is notorious for its ability to infest homes and kennels, making it a persistent problem for dog owners.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
The American dog tick has been reported in various regions, including the UAE, due to the movement of animals and changing habitats. This tick is typically found in grassy areas, pathwalks, and recreational areas. It can cause irritation and is a vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
The deer tick, otherwise known as the black-legged tick, is primarily found in wooded and brushy areas. While less common than the brown dog tick, it can bring serious health risks to dogs in Dubai. The Deer Tick is also the primary carrier of Lyme disease.
The Life Cycle of Ticks
Ticks have a four-stage life cycle. Each stage involves a blood meal from a host to progress to the next phase:
Eggs
Female ticks lay thousands of eggs in select outdoor areas, such as leaf litter or grass. These eggs hatch into larvae.
Larva
Larvae are tiny and have six legs. They seek small hosts, like rodents or birds, to feed on for their first blood meal.
Nymph
After their first meal, larvae molt into nymphs, gaining an additional pair of legs. Nymphs seek larger hosts, such as dogs, for their next meal.
Adult
Once fully grown, adult ticks attach to larger hosts like dogs or deer to feed, mate, and reproduce.
Signs of Ticks on Dogs
Ticks can be difficult to spot, especially if your dog has a thick or dark coat. However, identifying the signs of ticks can be obvious when your dog’s skin gets affected badly. Here’s a quick guide on the signs of ticks on dogs:
Dark Spots and Enlarged Ticks
Before feeding, ticks are small and flat, appearing as dark or reddish-brown specks on your dog’s skin. These tiny parasites are often mistaken for dirt or small scabs.
After feeding on your dog’s blood, ticks swell significantly, becoming much larger than their original size. These ticks are easier to spot as they expand, but by this stage, they may have been feeding for days.
Movable Lumps
When running your hands over your dog’s body, you may feel small, hard lumps that don’t feel like part of the dog’s anatomy. These lumps might move slightly when touched. These are particularly easy to feel on short-haired dogs or areas with less fur coverage, such as the belly or ears.
Excessive Scratching or Chewing
A tick’s bite can be itchy or painful, prompting your dog to scratch, bite, or lick the affected area. If the tick is in an awkward spot, your dog might contort their body or repeatedly rub against furniture to alleviate the irritation.
Frequent Head Shaking
Ticks that latch onto the ears can bring a lot of discomfort to your dog. This leads to head shaking or pawing at the ears. In severe cases, the constant irritation can cause redness, swelling, or ear infections.
Restlessness or Irritability
If your dog has multiple ticks or is experiencing discomfort, they may appear restless or agitated. This can include pacing, whining, or difficulty settling down, especially after outdoor activities.
Redness and Swelling
The skin around a tick bite often becomes red and inflamed because of the body’s immune response. In some cases, the area may appear slightly raised, forming a small bump or lump.
Scabs or Crusts
Persistent scratching or irritation can lead to scabbing or the formation of crusts at the bite site. These may become painful or infected if left untreated.
Hair Loss
Excessive licking, chewing, or scratching around a tick bite can result in localized bald spots. This is especially common in areas like the ears or tail, where ticks often latch on.
Secondary Infections
Open wounds caused by scratching or tick bites can bring secondary infections, leading to redness, swelling, and oozing. Infected areas may also develop a foul odor, requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Common Diseases Caused by Ticks on Dogs
Ticks do more than cause simple pain and discomfort. These parasites can pave the way for a lot of more serious concerns. Here are among the common diseases caused by ticks on dogs:
Lyme Disease
This disease can cause joint pain, shifting lameness, fever, and fatigue. Borrelia burgdorferi is the main culprit transmitted by deer ticks. If untreated, it may lead to lameness, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Ehrlichiosis
Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria and spread by brown dog ticks, Ehrlichiosis affects the white blood cells, leading to fever, weight loss, lethargy, and bleeding disorders. Chronic infections can result in anemia and long-term immune suppression.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
American dog ticks are the primary carriers of Rickettsia rickettsia, which can cause neurological issues, lethargy, and difficulty moving. If left untreated, this can lead to death.
Babesiosis
This disease, caused by Babesia gibsoni and Babesia vogeli, is transmitted by brown dog ticks that destroy red blood cells. Symptoms include anemia, pale gums, weakness, and weight loss.
Diagnosing Ticks on Dogs
Diagnosing ticks on dogs is straightforward when they are visibly attached. You can do it yourself at home, or you can have our pet dermatologists take a look at your dog’s coat. Here’s how to diagnose ticks on dogs:
Physical Examination
Regularly inspect your dog’s skin and fur for attached ticks. Run your hands along their body to feel for small, hard bumps, and check common hiding spots like the ears, between toes, under the collar, and around the tail base.
If ticks are suspected but not found, we can perform a detailed physical examination of your dog’s coat. Our vets will ask you for any signs you have noticed, such as swelling, redness, and infection. We’ll also assess bite sites for signs of irritation, infection, or localized allergic reactions caused by tick saliva.
Blood Tests
If your dog shows symptoms like fever, lethargy, or joint pain, we may recommend blood tests to check for tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, or Babesiosis.
The vet may assess bite sites for signs of irritation, infection, or localized allergic reactions caused by tick saliva.
Removing Ticks from Dogs
Removing ticks from your dog is an important step for treatment and removing the pain your best friend feels. Follow these steps to get started:
Gather Tools
Use tweezers that have a fine point or a tick removal tool, gloves, antiseptic, and a sealed bag for disposal.
Locate the Tick
Check common areas like the ears, between toes, under the collar, and around the tail base.
Remove the Tick
Use the tick removal tool to grasp it close to your dog’s skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick’s body.
Clean the Bite Area
Disinfect the site with a pet-safe antiseptic to prevent infection.
Dispose of the Tick
Seal it in a bag or flush it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with bare hands.
Tick Treatments for Dogs
Lots of options are available to help treat and prevent your dog’s tick infestation. With proper use and regular application, your dog will be protected. These tick medications are readily available at our vet pharmacy.
Topical Spot-On Treatments
Topical treatments are liquid medications that are applied to your dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades or along the back. They provide targeted protection against ticks by repelling and killing them.
Spot-on treatments spread across your dog’s skin and coat, creating a protective barrier that kills ticks on contact or shortly after attachment. Popular options include Bravecto, Frontline Plus, and K9 Advantix II.
Oral Medications
Oral tick medications are chewable tablets or pills that kill ticks once they bite and feed on your dog. These treatments are systemic, meaning they work from within the dog’s bloodstream, targeting ticks quickly and efficiently. Popular ones include Bravecto and Nexgard.
Tick Collars
Tick collars use chemicals that repel and kill ticks. These are worn around the dog’s neck and can provide long-term protection. Make sure you choose a comfortable collar for your dog, as this collar will be worn for a long time.
Medicated Shampoos
Medicated shampoos and sprays kill ticks on contact and can be used as a supplementary treatment. These products target ticks already on the dog’s coat, providing immediate relief by killing them during the bath or spray application.
Conclusion
The presence of ticks on dogs creates an annoying problem for you and your best friend. By learning everything about these parasites, knowing the steps to take, and providing all the preventive treatments, you’ll be able to help your dog feel comfortable and happy.