Our dogs are often our proverbial eye in the head. So it’s no wonder that we take care of them as best as we can. Dog owners, however, must be aware that the tick season has officially begun. These insects pose a threat not only to humans but, above all, to dogs, which, while running and playing outdoors, may not even feel the bite. So what are the symptoms of a tick bite in dogs and how can we prevent it?
Tick in dogs – how does the bite occur and how do diseases manifest?
Ticks are usually particularly active from March to October. However, mild winters have made our dogs susceptible to bites practically all year round. Dogs love to play in grass and bushes, which are home to these arachnids, making bites easy to come by. Remember that ticks love dark and damp places, so they should be sought on dogs under collars, between toes, on elbows, or under armpits. The most common complication in quadrupeds is various tick-borne diseases.
The most dangerous of these is babesiosis, which, if undiagnosed and untreated, can even lead to the death of our pet. It usually manifests as a high fever and general lethargy. Moreover, the first symptoms may appear only a week or even three weeks after the bite. The pet may lose its appetite, vomit, and also produce „rusty urine.” In the case of these symptoms, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian immediately. Another disease is Lyme disease, which in most dogs is asymptomatic. However, arthritis can develop even years after the bite.
If our dog has been bitten by a tick, it is at risk for tick-borne encephalitis. The acute course may last three weeks, and if the disease becomes chronic and shows no symptoms, it may persist for several months. Typically, tick-borne encephalitis in dogs is accompanied by a high fever as well as lethargy. Another disease is ehrlichiosis, which usually lasts about three weeks. The dog may have trouble breathing, a fever, and may also vomit. Additionally, there may be swollen lymph nodes and nosebleeds. This disease can occur in a latent form, and the dog may feel and behave normally.
A tick bite in dogs can also cause anaplasmosis, which will manifest as sudden drowsiness, fever, lameness, a tense belly, diarrhea, vomiting, and swelling of the limbs. In cases of acute course, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Ticks can also transmit bartonellosis, which is an infectious disease. However, clinical symptoms rarely appear in dogs.
How to protect your pet from ticks?
Quadrupeds can be secured not so much against the bite itself but against diseases transmitted by ticks. Therefore, it is essential to vaccinate the dog, which we can decide to do at any moment and then repeat every three months. It is also worth acquiring tick-repellent products such as special collars or drops. We can also give the dog tablets, properly selected according to its weight. Remember to choose one of the methods to protect the dog from bites. More about collars for dogs and cats can be read here: https://zbadajkleszcza.pl/obroze-na-kleszcze/
What to do if a bite has occurred?
If a bite has occurred and we have found a tick on our pet’s body, the first step is to remove it as quickly as possible. We can do this using a special pair of tweezers – just like for humans. The tick should be pulled out with a quick and decisive motion. Remember not to squeeze the tweezers on the body of the insect, as this can drive it deeper, and also crush it, which will cause toxins to enter the pet’s body. The tick should be removed entirely so that no part is left in the pet’s skin. Then, the bite area should be washed with a disinfectant.